Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, stung by allegations that he received some $700 million in government money, on Tuesday fired the attorney general who had been investigating him and a deputy who has been among his most prominent critics.
Najib is under pressure over leaked confidential documents that allegedly show the money, from state investment fund 1MDB, went into his personal accounts, AP reported.
Najib announced over national television Tuesday his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin will be replaced by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a Cabinet member who will also retain his home minister portfolio.
Earlier Tuesday, the government announced it had terminated the services of Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail. Gani was replaced by a Federal Court judge, Mohamed Apandi Ali, months before the attorney general had been due to retire in October.
Najib said he also dropped four other ministers to strengthen his administration and ensure they can “work as a team.”
Muhyiddin, the deputy, has been critical of the government’s handling of 1MDB’s massive debt and on Sunday night repeated his call for Najib to explain the alleged funds transfer.
Gani confirmed earlier this month that he had received documents from investigators that linked Najib and 1MDB. The documents sent to the attorney general pave the way for possible criminal charges, which would be a first for a Malaysian prime minister.
Apart from Muhyiddin, Najib also dropped Shafie Apdal as rural development minister. Shafie, a vice president in Najib’s ruling Malay party, has also been critical of the government’s handling of the 1MDB saga.
