Mahathir Mohamad

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced on April 6 the dissolution of parliament for a general election that will pose one of the sternest-ever tests for his ruling coalition, due to a massive financial scandal and a challenge from former leader Mahathir Mohamad.

Malaysia’s veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad was named as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate Sunday as a bruising election battle looms against scandal-plagued premier Najib Razak and his long-ruling coalition.

Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad said on Feb. 29 that he is quitting the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party, as it is being seen as "supporting corruption" under Prime Minister Najib Razak's leadership.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into allegations of money-laundering at troubled Malaysian state fund 1MDB, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sept.20 citing an unidentified source. 

Malaysia's veteran former leader Mahathir Mohamad returned from an overseas trip on Sept.9 saying he would comply with any police investigation into comments he made against Prime Minister Najib Razak at an anti-government rally last month.

Mahathir has led calls for Najib's resignation over alleged mismanagement and corruption at indebted state investment fund 1MDB. 

"There's no more rule of law," said Mahathir Mohamad, the 90-year-old grandee who was prime minister of Malaysia for 22 years. "The only way for the people to get back to the old system is for them to remove this prime minister."