I left when I still had support, says Dr M

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says today he resigned from running the country even there was support for him. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, April 19, 2015.In another round of attack aimed at Datuk Seri Najib Razak, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said it is better to step down when one no longer has support of the majority.

He reminded Najib, the prime minister, that the support he was getting from various quarters at the moment was "not real".

"When one feels that one has no more support, it is better to go," he told reporters on the sidelines of an international forum on criminalising war in Kuala Lumpur.

Comparatively, Dr Mahathir said he had decided to resign while still receiving support and the decision, made in 2003, was because he had been holding the prime minister's post for too long.

"I went even though I had support, but because I've been prime minister for too long," he said.

The prime minister of 22 years has become Najib's fiercest critic, taking him to task over the government-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), his policy of giving cash handouts under the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) and more recently, over the murder of Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu, whom Najib has denied ever knowing.

Dr Mahathir previously also called for Najib's resignation, but had never before this urged Umno to act so openly.

Before this, he had focused his criticism of Najib over his performance and capabilities as prime minister.

As for support, Dr Mahathir said today many people have expressed their support for his criticism of Najib but dared not did so openly for fear of arrest.

"People meet me, but they don't like to be seen or appear to be supporting me.

"I understand their worry. People are getting arrested and then released, things like that. The public now are afraid that police will come and take them.

"So, (although) they agree with me, they will not show it," he said.

Although Dr Mahathir had said that Najib would bring Umno down, some in the party had countered that it was his constant attacks against the prime minister that was weakening Umno.

Dr Mahathir, however, insisted that he was not the only one asking for Najib's resignation, adding that it was not only for the good of Umno but the nation.

"I think many people wanted him to resign for the good of Umno and the country."

- TMI