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Malaysian PM skips forum on controversial state investment fund

Xinhua, June 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Malaysian Police on Friday canceled a forum on security ground where Prime Minister Najib Razak was supposed to address his critics over a debt-ridden state investment fund.

It was potentially a face-to-face debate between Najib and his most vocal critic and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has openly called for Najib to step down.

But Najib didn't attend after the police canceled the forum due to security concern. Mahathir gave a speech at the forum but was asked to stop midway.

The prime minister's office said Najib decided not to attend following the advice by police, which was confirmed by national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar.

"Although prime minister is not too happy with me for canceling it, but I had to. For safety and security reasons," Khalid was quoted as saying by the local Star newspaper.

Najib is under mounting pressure and criticism over reports that the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), a state investment company that he launched after becoming prime minister in 2009, was in massive debt.

Najib denied any wrongdoings and refused to step down. A series of investigations by different agencies were launched against the company. Endi