One former prime minister will be taking the place of the other, after the Najib Razak administration today announced its endorsement of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia’s 5th PM, to take over as adviser to Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) – a position held by Dr Mahathir Mohamad until his recent sacking.
PM Najib today said that the Cabinet had endorsed for Pak Lah, as Abdullah is affectionately known, to begin his duties as Petronas adviser on April 1.
Pak Lah, as he had once before with the prime minister’s office, will inherit a position that was left vacant under controversial circumstances.
Dr M was terminated from his advisory role in Petronas on March 11, after more than a year of the former premier publicly calling out Najib for his alleged wrongdoings, particularly in connection to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandals, the transfer of RM2.6 billion into Najib’s personal accounts in 2013, and the 2006 murder of Mongolian model/translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Bernama reports that Najib spoke in clearer detail on his view of Dr M’s termination:
“The decision to terminate the appointment of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was made by the Cabinet since he was no longer supporting the present government, especially with the launch of ‘Deklarasi Rakyat’ (people’s declaration) together with opposition leaders.”
The People’s Declaration, now proceeding under the name Save Malaysia, was signed by Mahathir and some 50 other politicians and civil rights activists on March 4. It called for the removal of Najib Razak from the premiership by any constitutional means necessary.
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