Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
News
'Mastermind' Dr M still free to travel
Published:  Jul 22, 2015 7:49 PM
Updated: 12:05 PM

There is no travel restriction against Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has been accused of masterminding a plot to oust Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

A check on the Immigration Department website showed that his travel status is 'tiada halangan (no restrictions)'.

Mahathir has repeatedly called on Najib to step down and has been a staunch critic of 1MDB.

He has warned that if Najib continues to lead, BN and Umno would be defeated in the next general election.

Following The Wall Street Journal report which claimed that RM2.6 billion of 1MDB-linked funds was deposited into the prime minister’s personal accounts, Najib took a swipe at his former mentor.

"The latest allegation is that I have taken state-linked funds for personal gain.

"I believe Tun (Mahathir), is working hand in glove with foreign nationals, including the now discredited political attack blog Sarawak Report, is behind this latest lie,” he had said.

The authorities have so far imposed travel bans on opposition lawmakers Rafizi Ramli and Tony Pua.

Also barred is The Edge media group owner Tong Kooi Ong.

Police sources have claimed that all three are being investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code in relation to activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

This over allegations that documents related to 1MDB were fabricated to smear Najib.

Travel ban possible for Dr M

At a press conference earlier, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said a travel ban could be imposed on Mahathir.

"Many strange and extraordinary things are happening in the corridors of powers.

"I think that (Mahathir's travel ban) is very possible, we've seen a feverish pitch, this is a government tottering on its last legs here," he said.

Meanwhile, Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming also said checks with the Immigration Department website showed that both Shahrol Halmi and Arul Kanda, the former and current 1MDB top bosses were not banned.

A special task force is probing the allegations surrounding 1MDB, including the alleged RM2.6 billion in Najib's accounts.

This prompted Lim to call for a travel ban to be imposed on the prime minister.

Similarly, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Barathidasan said Najib and Arul Kanda should be restricted from travelling overseas.

"There is the allegation of RM2.6 billion of 1MDB-linked funds having gone into Najib's personal bank accounts and that money has been used for the last general election.

"So all those related to the special task force's probe must not be allowed to leave the country, and this includes the prime minister," he told Malaysiakini.

He also asked if the ban was imposed on Mahathir.

Related reports

Blacklist Najib as well, says Kit Siang

The Edge's boss faces travel ban too

Topple gov't claim: Cops probe MPs, The Edge boss

Pua and Rafizi barred from leaving country

Rafizi: Date with cops soon for Pua and me

1MDB - a chance to get it right

Probe to verify The Edge's 1MDB info

'Pissed off rich M'sian politicians are ruthless'

Probe into authenticity of documents from The Edge

Police to probe attempt to overthrow gov't: IGP

PM Najib feels the heat as 1MDB melts down

1MDB probe: Task force detains another director

Hackers tried to break into 1MDB subsidiary site

S’pore freezes bank accounts over 1MDB probe

Pua, teach Lester and his backers a lesson

SR to file defamation reports on Rahman, Lester

Is the aim to catch the informers or the thieves?

Perhaps Najib’s potato too hot for Lim

A helicopter view of the 1MDB saga

'RM2.6b for GE13', no wonder BN is silent

1MDB’s illogical decision against Sarawak Report

'Umno's 3.5m behind PM, only one branch against'


Please join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news and views that matter.

ADS