PM’s aide: We're not among top 10 most corrupt countries

PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister’s press secretary has hit out at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his statement that Malaysia is one of the 10 most corrupt countries in the world.

Datuk Seri Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad, in a statement on Monday, rubbished the former prime minister’s claim, saying “the old tiger” made it for political gain.

“In reality, in the latest listing by Transparency International, Malaysia is the 55th least corrupt country in the world.

“Clearly, either Dr Mahathir is lying or he is no longer able to differentiate between fact and fiction,” said Tengku Sariffuddin.

In the recently released Corruption Perception Index for 2016 by Transparency International, Malaysia was ranked 55th among 176 countries.

In his statement, Tengku Sariffuddin referred to how Dr Mahathir now associates with those he had previously been hostile towards, specifically former Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

He also referred to a speech made by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar last Thursday, in which the Ruler said a “certain politician” has forgotten that his era was over, or had become senile because of old age.

Tengku Sariffuddin said that the Malaysian people could no longer believe whatever Dr Mahathir said.

“His statements are embarrassing; either he is lying for political gain or he is senile as stated by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor.

“The old tiger better retire,” he said.