Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has on cue posted a photograph of himself with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, just as former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad had warned.

Yesterday, Mahathir on ABC News said Najib would attempt to get a photo opportunity with his Australian counterpart.

True enough, a cheerful photograph of the two heads of government appeared on Najib's Twitter yesterday evening.

"Great to see Australian Prime Minister (Turnbull) @turnbullMalcolm this morning!

"Australia remains a close friend and ally to Malaysia and we will continue to work closely together," tweeted Najib.

Mahathir yesterday told the Australian network of Najib apparent penchant for having himself photographed with world leaders, “because he wants to show Malaysians that he is well accepted”.

This, said the Pakatan Harapan chairperson, was despite his successor's negative publicity following the international 1MDB scandal.

Visit amidst world scandal

Najib is in Sydney to attend the Asean-Australia Special Summit this weekend.

His visit comes as the 1MDB scandal continues to make news across the globe, following the seizure of businessman Jho Low's alleged superyacht in Bali, and the Swiss Parliament debate over the fate of CHF104 million (RM430 million) allegedly seized in relation to 1MDB.

The Malaysian govnernment has denied claims money has been stolen from 1MDB.

Australia was not spared of the scandal, after Turnbull's son Alex, a banker, claimed he was sidelined from his executive position at Goldman Sachs in Singapore four years ago, after blowing the whistle on billions of dollars ini allegedly dodgy deals done with 1MDB.

Australian supermodel, Miranda Kerr also made international headlines last year when she surrendered jewellery worth over US$8.1 million (RM35 million) to US authorities, claimed to be purchased by Low with funds allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB.

Additionally, Australian media have also pursued the scandal of Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd (Mara Inc) having paid A$41.8 million (about RM138 million) for a building in downtown Melbourne, valued at nearly half the price.

Fairfax Media complained the Australian government had failed to crack down on money laundering through the Melbourne property market, which it alleged involved Malaysians.

Najib gets airtime at Asean summit protest, thanks to Bersih