- Title: Former PM joins protest against Malaysia's Najib
- Date: 19th November 2016
- Summary: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (NOVEMBER 19, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS GATHERED PROTESTER WAVING FLAG FORMER MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER, MAHATHIR MOHAMAD, SURROUNDED BY MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Malaysia) FORMER MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER, MAHATHIR MOHAMAD, SAYING: "Even if they arrest all our leaders, it will not stop the people from bringing (Malaysian Prime Minister) Najib Razak down because he has stolen funds." PROTESTERS CHANTING (Bahasa Malaysia): "BERSIH!" (PRO-DEMOCRACY GROUP) MAHATHIR RAISING FIST VARIOUS OF VEHICLE CARRYING MAHATHIR PASSING MAN WAVING MALAYSIAN FLAG PROTESTERS GATHERED / MAN WITH CAMERA PROTESTER IN CROWD CARRYING SIGN READING (English): "THE DUTY OF YOUTH IS TO CHALLENGE CORRUPTION" PROTESTERS GATHERED PROTESTERS SHOUTING (Bahasa Malaysia): "BERSIH!"
- Embargoed: 4th December 2016 13:35
- Keywords: Malaysia PM Najib Razak protests rally
- Location: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
- City: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
- Country: Malaysia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00159405L3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Around 40,000 protesters marched to the heart of the Malaysian capital on Saturday (November 19) to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over his alleged involvement in a multi-billion dollar misappropriation scandal.
Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad was seen waving to the crowds aboard a vehicle.
"Even if they arrest all our leaders, it will not stop the people from bringing Najib Razak down because he has stolen funds," said Mahathir.
Mahathir, Malaysia's longest serving Prime Minister, formed a new political group this year in his campaign to oust former protege Najib.
The demonstration is unlikely to shake Najib, who has denied wrongdoing and weathered the crisis, consolidating power by cracking down on dissenters and curbing media groups and activists.
The head of pro-democracy group Bersih - the organisers of Saturday's rally - was arrested on Friday (November 18) along with several other supporters of the demonstration, including opposition leaders and student activists.
Police have said the Bersih rally is illegal.
Najib ran into further trouble this year when lawsuits filed by the U.S. Justice Department in July said over 3.5 billion U.S. dollars was stolen from state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which was founded by Najib, and that some of those funds flowed into the accounts of "Malaysian Official 1", whom U.S. and Malaysian officials have identified as Najib.
Najib has taken steps critics say aim to limit discussion of the scandal, such as sacking a deputy prime minister, replacing the attorney-general and suspending newspapers and blocking websites.
He retains significant support within the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and from the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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