Malaysian prime minister reshuffles cabinet amid alleged financial scandal
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has reshuffled his cabinet by sacking his deputy and four other ministers amid corruption allegations made against him.
On Tuesday, Najib relieved Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin from his duties and dropped four other ministers, Mohd Shafie Apdal, the rural and regional development minister, Hasan Malek, the domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism minister, G. Palanivel, the natural resources and environment minister, and Ewon Ebin, the science, technology and innovation minister.
The Malaysian premier is under mounting pressure over leaked confidential documents that allegedly show some USD 700 million were transferred into his personal accounts from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state investment fund, which he set up in 2009.
Yassin was axed days after he publicly called on Najib to explain the 1MDB allegations and was replaced by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the then home minister.
“The decision to replace Muhyiddin Yassin was very difficult, but leadership is about doing what you think is right. To deliver for Malaysia, I must have a solid and unified team moving in the same direction," Najib said in his televised address on Tuesday, adding that cabinet ministers airing differences in the open could turn public opinion against the government.
The Malaysian prime minister also fired the attorney general, Abdul Gani Patail, who had led investigations into the 1MDB case and replaced him with Mohamed Apandi Ali.
Najib, however, has denied receiving any money for personal interests, saying the allegations are part of a malicious campaign to compel him from office. The 1MDB, for its part, has also denied transferring funds to the Malaysian premier’s accounts.
Critics slammed the removals as an attempt by Najib to avoid prosecution.
“What happened today breaches every rule that forms the core principles of a democracy…This is only compounding the crisis, not solving it," said Ambiga Sreenevasan, the president of the National Human Rights Society (Hakam), a Malaysian non-governmental organization.
Philippines, US kick off drills in disputed waters of South China Sea
US House rubberstamps $95 billion ‘aid’ for Israel, Ukraine, Chinese Taipei
Yemenis, Jordanians reiterate support for Palestinians in Gaza
Jamaica officially recognizes state of Palestine
Raeisi attends inauguration of Iran-built mage multipurpose project in Sri Lanka
'Sinwar still supervising Gaza war; Israel deliberately delaying talks on captives'
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
UK's Rwanda deportation plan morally disgraceful
VIDEO | Raeisi inaugurates Iranian-built mega multipurpose project in Sri Lanka
VIDEO | Italian parliament hosts book launch on Palestine's untamed resistance
Leader: Iran’s arms sector example of turning sanctions, hostilities into opportunity
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
