KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday said he does not feel lonely in a jab at his arch critic, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who recently said he was alone in telling the truth about problems with Najib’s administration.

Najib made his remarks in a room full of investors at Invest Malaysia Kuala Lumpur 2015 here yesterday.

He addressed the former prime minister’s criticism of him obliquely in his speech, saying “certain quarters” had expressed loneliness in telling the truth.

“There has been some talk lately in Malaysia about how it can be lonely telling the truth,” said Najib.

“I can tell you that I don’t feel lonely standing here today (yesterday),” he said, adding that it was because many international bodies, individuals and institutions had praised Malaysia for the country’s successes.

“I don’t feel lonely at all. In fact, I feel in very good company, and I am equally confident that, given the well-known stability and growth of Malaysia under this government, I will be able to look forward to the pleasure of your company next year and for years to come,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, in a recent post on his blog chedet.cc, said he felt as if he was alone in his quest for answers to various issues he had raised, referring to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) debt and the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“I know I am alone but I feel responsible to the people. Is that wrong? When the people’s money goes missing and is hidden from them, is it wrong for me to ask?” he wrote.

That was followed by a few Umno leaders expressing their solidarity with Dr Mahathir. Even popular local celebrities Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin and Rozita Che Wan went on social media to declare their support.

On Sunday, Najib’s brother Datuk Seri Nazir Razak posted a picture of Michael Jackson with the words “you are not alone” on his Instagram account.

The CIMB chairman included the caption: “Now appearing in Malaysian politics.”

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also commented on Dr Mahathir, telling at an anti-war forum recently that the former leader had always spoken the truth.

“Telling the truth and standing up ... this is your trademark since you were a young doctor and Umno member.

“You are not alone in telling the truth,” said Muhyiddin in his speech.

Although Muhyiddin was referring to Dr Mahathir’s stance on war, his statement also appeared to be a reference to the former prime minister’s claim that he was alone in demanding answers from Najib.

Former Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said that Dr Mahathir could always count on the silent majority for support.

Dr Mahathir has been very critical of Najib in recent months, urging him to step down over the 1MDB affair, the 1Malaysia People’s Aid cash handouts and alleged links to the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder.

More recently, Dr Mahathir also mentioned the “lavish lifestyle” of Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Following Najib’s special interview on TV3 early this month, Dr Mahathir said there were many questions still left unanswered, including the whereabouts of 1MDB’s Cayman Islands funds, which were reportedly parked in a Singapore bank. — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on April 24, 2015.