Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak removed his deputy in a Cabinet reshuffle, potentially widening their public rift over financial scandals linked to the state investment company.
Facing his biggest crisis in six years in power, Najib named Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to replace Muhyiddin Yassin, who had called for answers on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd imbroglio, including its investment decisions. Najib announced the changes in a televised broadcast.
Multiple probes are underway into 1MDB, which was the subject of a July 3 Wall Street Journal report that $700 million may have moved through government agencies and state-linked firms to accounts bearing Najib's name. The prime minister has denied taking money for personal gain and has described the furor as political sabotage, part of a campaign to remove him from office.