Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak speaks to Malay Mail during an interview inside his private residence in Kuala Lumpur May 19, 2018. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today that rule of law must be applied equally to everyone, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Speaking to Malay Mail at his home here, Najib said the prime minister must also subject himself to scrutiny.

“Whatever it is, it has to be fair. Rule of law has to be applied in a very fair way, and it must be seen to apply to everybody. Everybody must adhere to the rule of law.

“I mean, if you have accepted 30 horses from your friends, that must also be taken into account, because he has admitted openly. The horses were given by his friends.

“He has received gratification from his friends and has admitted it openly,” Najib said of Dr Mahathir.

In an interview on CNN Indonesia two years ago, Dr Mahathir revealed his love for horses, also telling the American broadcaster that he owned close to 40 of them. He also said some of the horses were given to him.

Dr Mahathir has consistently pointed out that investigations into the 1MDB scandal and Najib’s role in it must be subject to the rule of law and due process.

The PM has also said he was not seeking revenge against Najib, and would treat the latter fairly. But Dr Mahathir has also said that Najib would still have to face the consequences if found guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.

In today’s interview with Malay Mail, Najib also questioned the position of Lim Guan Eng as finance minister-designate, as the latter is still on trial for alleged corruption.

Najib accused Pakatan Harapan (PH) of “double standards” when evaluating the integrity of its own party members.

“This is contrary to what they have been saying. They practise double standards. When it comes to their own people, it is something else, when it comes to BN leaders, it’s something else.

“Well, the principle is the rule of law. He is not guilty until proven, so he’s not guilty because he’s been charged. Though he’s not guilty yet, but most people don’t think it is appropriate for a man who has been charged to be appointed as a minister of finance, until he clears his name.

“I’m not saying he’s guilty, but clear your name first,” Najib said.