KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak waded into the topic of "being alone" during his speech at Invest Malaysia 2015 function.
Without mentioning anyone, Najib said "certain quarters" had stated that it could be lonely in telling the truth.
"There has been some talk lately in Malaysia about how it can be lonely in telling the truth.
"Well, I can tell you that I don't feel lonely standing here in front of you today," he told participants at the event in Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Thursday.
"And when so many respected international bodies, individuals, and institutions have confirmed their belief in Malaysia's success and have honoured us by rating us so highly - I don't feel lonely at all - in fact I feel in a very good company".
The topic of feeling alone was first brought up by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his blog calling on Najib to resign over various issues including the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
"I know I am alone. But I feel responsible to the people, is that wrong? When the people's money goes missing and is hidden from them, is it wrong for me to ask?
"Where is the money for 1MDB. This is still unanswered," Dr Mahathir said in his blog, chedet.cc.
On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin appeared to have backed Dr Mahathir when he praised the former premier for never shying away from the truth.
"Telling the truth and standing up has been your trademark since you're a young doctor and an ordinary Umno member.
"Let me assure you, sir, that you are not alone," he reported to have said at an anti-war forum attended by Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
On the same day, the social media was abuzz when Najib's brother, Datuk Seri Nazir Razak posted a photo of singer Michael Jackson with the title of his song "You are not alone" on his Instagram account.
He merely stated, "now appearing in Malaysian politics", in the caption along the late King of Pop's poster, but did not elaborate.
