It is highly unlikely that any action will be taken against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak when he travels overseas, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former premier said this is because anti-money laundering operations only work against "small people".

“If I do some money laundering, I might be arrested, but if you are holding a high position you are exempted.

"I don’t think the international community will do anything… If they find money that is questionable, they will freeze the account. But (in this case), they did nothing,” he told reporters today.

Mahathir said this when asked about investigations overseas involving 1MDB and those reportedly close to Najib.

Najib is currently in New York, attending the United Nations General Assembly.

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has reportedly opened an investigation into 1MDB, while a US federal grand jury is also investigating corruption allegations surrounding Najib and those close to him, including his stepson Riza Aziz.

There are also investigations being carried out against Najib and 1MDB in Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore, following a series of overseas reports filed by former Batu Kawan Umno division deputy chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

Back home, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating a RM2.6 billion donation received by Najib. The graft buster is also looking into former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd.

However, Mahathir believes no action will be taken against Najib in Malaysia as well.

"At the moment I don't see any move against him because we are very tolerant people. If we lose a few billion Ringgit, it is okay. We can raise it through the goods and services tax," he quipped.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing in relation to 1MDB, and claims there is an international conspiracy to topple him.