Former Malaysian PM Mahathir loses government posts for rebellion

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (19812003) has been stripped of all government posts for demanding the dismissal of current Prime Minister Najib Razak, official sources said Friday.

“The Cabinet decided that since Tun Mahathir is no longer supporting the current government, he should no longer hold any position related to the government. Therefore, the Cabinet today agreed unanimously to terminate the appointment of Tun Mahathir as adviser to Petronas,” said a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Mahathir was appointed adviser to stateowned oil firm Petronas when he stepped down in 2003, according to The Star newspaper.

For the last two years he has also been serving as the chairman of the country’s manufacturing firm Proton Holdings.

On March 4, Mahathir, 90, launched a national campaign demanding the resignation of Najib after $681 million were found in his bank accounts last year.

The money was allegedly siphoned off from state funds, although Najib, who claims it was a gift from the Saudi royal family, was cleared of all charges by the country’s public prosecutor’s office.

Malaysia is governed by the same coalition since its independence in 1965.