Malaysian PM sacks deputy as fallout from 1MDB scandal grows

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak sacked his deputy in a cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday after Muhyiddin Yassin had called on his leader to explain a growing graft scandal at debt-laden state investment fund 1MDB.

Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak. Source: AFP

Muhyiddin had said at the weekend the ruling coalition could lose the next election if Najib and others did not better manage issues stemming from the scandal at 1Malaysia Development Berhad , which has debts of more than $11 billion. 

Muhyiddin has been replaced by home minister Zahid Hamidi, a right wing politician well liked by members of the United Malays National Organisation party, which has led Malaysian coalition governments since independence in 1957.

Reporting by Kuala Lumpur bureau; Editing by Paul Tait.