Malaysian police have asked former prime minister Mahathir Mohamed to give a statement on allegations he made at a recent anti-government protest.

 

Dr Mahathir's accusations of ruling party leaders accepting bribes "warrant police action", a spokesperson said.

 

Dr Mahathir and the Bersih pro-democracy movement have called for current PM Najib Razak to resign over corruption allegations.

 

Thousands attended Bersih's weekend rallies held across the country.

 

Dr Mahathir had delivered a speech at the rally in the capital Kuala Lumpur, where he called for a "people's power" movement to topple Mr Najib, who used to be his protégé.

 

Najib has denied all allegations of corruption and has accused Dr Mahathir of mounting a political smear campaign against him.

 

Dr Mahathir remains highly influential in Malaysian politics, and was the country's longest serving prime minister, ruling from 1981 to 2003. The 90-year-old used to lead Mr Najib's party Umno.

 

Read more: Why Malaysians are disillusioned with Najib Razak

 

'Co-operation'

 

Inspector-General Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters that during his speech at the Bersih 4.0 rally, Dr Mahathir had made "all sorts of accusations", including one that alleged Umno division chiefs had received bribes.

 

"We want to know further and where he had obtained the information... I hope he will give his co-operation," said Mr Khalid.

 

He added that other prominent figures who attended the rally, as well as the organisers, would also be called up for questioning.

 

Mahathir has yet to make a public statement on the police investigation.

 

But in a Tuesday post on his blog he once again accused Mr Najib of taking money from sovereign wealth fund, 1MDB, and giving it to political leaders during the 2013 general election.

 

Najib has denied taking money from the fund and Malaysia's anti-corruption agency has effectively cleared him saying the money was a donation.

(BBC)