Former Malaysian PM calls for 'people power' movement to topple Premier

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (KUNA) -- Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, joining anti-government protesters for a second day on Sunday, called for a "people's power" movement to topple Prime Minister Najib Razak over a financial scandal.
"The only way for the people to get back to the old system is for them to remove this prime minister," said Mahathir.
"And to remove him, the people must show people's power. The people as a whole do not want this kind of corrupt leader," he told media before heading to the rally, estimated at nearly 25,000 by noon.
These protests, unlike the 2012 rally, also lack the support of a party identified with the Malay majority: most protesters were from the minority ethnic Chinese and Indian communities. However, Mahathir - the country's longest-serving leader - was a leader of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which represents Malays.
UMNO Vice-President Hishammuddin Hussein said that by turning up unexpectedly at the anti-government rally on Saturday, Mahathir had "crossed over the line".
Another UMNO leader stated a million government supporters would stage a "red shirts" rally on Oct. 10 that would trump the protests of the past two days.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today advised Barisan Nasional component parties to resolve their internal problems and strengthen the coalition to face the next general election.
He said this was necessary to ensure that the BN won big in the 14th general election.(end) ab.mam.tg