KUALA LUMPUR: Former Parti Pejuang Tanahair chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has aimed his sights yet again on former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In the latest round of salvo, he alleged that Najib's greatest success was to destroy the morals of the Malay community.
"Now the Malays no longer feel ashamed when they commit a cursed act," said the former prime minister in a scathing statement.
"Najib started by convincing the Malays that they need not feel ashamed because their Boss stole money.
"'Nak malu apa, Bossku' Najib said when he stole government money," he said.
Dr Mahathir said the situation reached a point where even his loyal followers did not feel ashamed when they stole or received money from the former Pekan Member of Parliament.
"Najib taught the Malays to ask for free money. In the GE (General Election), Malays (voters) were willing to be bribed, as the money earned was not from work done. RM100 (received) free is better than RM2,000 a month because of the need to work to earn a salary," he said.
Dr Mahathir said on the other hand, receiving the RM100 for a vote, does not require one to work.
"If money is not given then don't vote. This is the answer of voters in GE15 (15th General Election)", he said.
The former Langkawi and Kubang Pasu Member of Parliament said this was the reason why candidates who did not give money lost in the election.
"The winner in GE15 is the one who bribed money. Those who can afford to bribe are thieves. Those who won and form the government are thieves. When thieves become the government, the government's money is also stolen," Dr Mahathir said.
Dr Mahathir added that in the past when caught stealing, the Malays would feel ashamed.
"Not now. What are you ashamed of? Even the boss is not ashamed when he steals billions. After all, this is just a little (to be stolen). What is there to be ashamed of?
Dr Mahathir described this as being Najib's Malays and that until all times the Malaysian government will comprise of thieves.
"Those who do not have money and do not bribe will lose.
"It is true that Malaysia is a country of kleptocracy - a country of thieves."