I'm answerable only to the rakyat, says Najib

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today rebutted criticisms levelled at him by his former boss, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"I respect Tun Mahathir as I respect every other citizen of this country. It is the rakyat's right to ask questions about me, to question my performance as prime minister, and the performance of the government I lead," Najib said in a pre-recorded interview with TV3 last night.
"I was elected by my party and by the people to lead the country. As such, I am answerable only to the rakyat – not to any individual.
"And if at the next general election, the people want change, they will let us know through the ballot box," Najib said.
Recently, Najib had been on the receiving end of some stinging criticisms from Mahathir over various issues such as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.
On Mahathir's questions regarding Altantuya, who was murdered eight years ago, Najib laughed off the claim, saying the judiciary had made a decision.
"Even the police during Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's time had cleared me," he said. "I have sworn on oath three times in a mosque in Permatang Pauh that I did not know Altantuya and I had no direct or indirect involvement with her," he said.
"The court had already made the decision ... are we questioning the integrity of our court by any chance?" Najib asked.
On the controversies surrounding 1MDB, he said: "It is important to remember that 1MDB's assets are greater than its liabilities. So, in very simple terms, if 1MDB were to be wound down tomorrow, the company would still have some assets and money left even after paying off all its debts."
He also said he had several discussions with Mahathir after he became prime minister, during which Mahathir had highlighted certain issues such as the construction of the crooked bridge to replace the Johor causeway and to discontinue 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) scheme.
"I gave my views but Mahathir disagreed with some of them."
On the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Najib said it is beneficial to Malaysians, adding that it was in the economic plan since the 1980s.
"For the long-term good of the economy, it is more important that we expand our tax base," he said.
On amendments to the Sedition Act, Najib said it is one of the preventive laws to protect Malaysians regardless of their religion and race.
"The law is aimed at preventing people from promoting feelings of hostility between individuals or groups pertaining to religion, which can lead to a chaotic situation. This cannot be tolerated," Najib said, adding that the amendments allowed people to criticise the government.
On Mahathir's comment that Barisan Nasional would lose the next general election if Najib is still in charge, he said: "If we are united, (and) there is no internal sabotage, we will persevere."