NAJIB Razak’s campaign for Barisan Nasional in the Cameron Highlands by-election is aimed at getting sympathy for himself, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today of the former prime minister.

Dr Mahathir, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman and prime minister, said Najib is acting as if he is being oppressed and is trying to burnish his image after having to quit as Umno president and BN chairman following the coalition’s loss in GE14.

“It’s been months since he has been charged, but he is still free. He makes all sorts stories to gain support. When we think about it, can we trust him? He stole money, we cannot deny that he stole money,” Dr Mahathir said to reporters at the Sg Koyan 1 mosque today.

The PH leader visited BN’s stronghold in Jelai today on the final day of campaigning ahead of polling tomorrow.

Dr Mahathir poured scorn on the “gimmicks” used by the former prime minister such as the slogan “Malu apa, bossku” (What’s there to be ashamed of, he’s my boss) slogan which has appeared on social media as memes and as posters around Cameron Highlands.

Najib was active in the Pahang federal seat for a few days last weekend and this week, meeting voters and giving ceramah. The Pekan MP has also been attacking PH in the by-election on his Facebook page.

The former prime minister and finance minister is currently facing 39 charges of corruption, money-laundering, abuse of power and over tampering of audit reports in relation to 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

But Dr Mahathir dismissed claims that Najib was “oppressed”, noting that when the former prime minister was charged in court, “we gave him leeway (not to have to wear the orange lock-up clothes).”

Dr Mahathir today told voters that Najib was the cause of the government’s huge debts, alleging that the latter had borrowed heavily to benefit himself and his wife, Rosmah Mansor.

“He believes that cash is king but he doesn’t have money. A prime minister does not earn much. So he had to borrow. Supposedly to do development but instead he stole the money he borrowed,” he said.

The PH government is saddled with those debts, Dr Mahathir said, and its interest payments amounted to RM400 million per month.

Najib, on his recent visits to the Malay-majority state seat of Jelai within Cameron Highlands, has been greeted by crowds of Umno supporters who call him “bossku” (my boss).

He also told supporters that he was proud to be called the “King of Trolls” due to his constant online criticism of the PH government. – January 25, 2019.