It's not a sign of weakness if Najib goes on leave - Musa Hitam

If Datuk Seri Najib Razak were to go on leave, it should not be construed as a sign of weakness, Tun Musa Hitam said.

Instead, it will only show that the Prime Minister's leadership, character and personality were in line with the principles of parliamentary democracy.

The former deputy prime minister said, Najib should go on leave so that investigators probing the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial fiasco could do their work openly and transparently, The Malaysian Insider reported today.

Speaking to the news portal exclusively, the 81-year-old who has been out of the political scene for a long time, said Najib going on leave would give investigators the "space psychologically, politically and legally for them to find the truth".

Musa said if Najib resigns, it would give way for UMNO to have a new leadership.

He said UMNO was in denial of its leadership problems because “Najib was legally and constitutionally elected”, and that he didn’t believe in the declaration of support for a leader in power because “those who pledge their support will be first to scoot off when their leader is in trouble.”

He added that UMNO must find a way to overcome their problems in a rational and manner, and their solution must be in the interest of the country and rakyat.

Last Friday, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) had reported that up to US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) was transferred into Najib's personal bank accounts between 2013 and 2015.

Following that, a special task force has been set up comprising Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.