The issues raised by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad must not be ignored as it has attracted the interests of the public, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

The UMNO Youth chief said the government must act quickly in seeking answers over the issues raised by Dr Mahathir in ensuring that the situation can be contained.

"As a former Prime Minister, we must listen and appreciate what he had written. For me, we must not ignore the issues highlighted by Dr Mahathir.

“To ignore is not a choice. We must not try to ignore. If we choose to ignore, the problem will become worse,” he said.

“We must solve the problems. What Dr Mahathir highlighted must be answered although we are aware the answers are readily available, but we must still answer,” said Khairy when met by reporters at Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Alam, Selangor today.

The government must prepare itself to answer any issues which have been highlighted in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investment, the newly-purchased private jet and the alleged murder of Mongolian model, Altantuya Sharibuu.

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Khairy firmly believed that Dr Mahathir’s wish is for Najib to feel compelled to answer the questions as by doing so would be more effective.

“I think that's what Dr Mahathir wants. We can possibly explain but I honestly feel that what would be more effective is when the Prime Minister himself can offer his explanation,” he added.

Khairy further reiterated that he disagreed with Dr Mahathir’s view on Barisan Nasional’s ‘imminent’ defeat at the 14th General Election if Najib is still at the helm.

The Rembau MP said, although the country is going through a trying period particularly the public’s outcry over the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on April 1, which is not an indication that BN will be defeated at the upcoming general election.

“We totally disagree. If we do, I will not state the support and faith from Pemuda and I’m a minister under Najib’s administration.

“We are going through a difficult time as we had just witnessed the implementation of GST. We know that the implementation would draw displeasures and angst among the rakyat.

“We must not draw the conclusion that we are experiencing today is a litmus test of our defeat at the general election.

On Thursday, Dr Mahathir on his blog (www.chedet.cc) wrote his most caustic criticism towards Najib and had allegedly claimed that the rakyat has lost their faith in the Prime Minister. Dr Mahathir also predicted that BN will be defeated at the general election, if Najib is still at the helm.