KUALA LUMPUR: Leaders from across Malaysia's political spectrum joined Friday (Mar 4) to call for a national movement to remove scandal-hit premier Najib Razak, in a dramatic escalation of a festering political crisis.

The alliance brought together previously bitter political foes and was led by former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who has spearheaded calls to remove Mr Najib over allegations of corruption and misrule.

58 people signed a declaration pledging to remove Mr Najib through legal and non-violent means. They also pledged to take action against those who associated with or covered up for the prime minister. 

"We call upon all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, political situation, creed or parties, young and old, to join us in saving Malaysia from the government headed by Najib Razak," read a joint statement endorsed by heavyweights from the ruling party, opposition, and top civil society groups.

Though some signatories were keen to garner more public support to force Mr Najib's resignation, Dr Mahathir added that he was not keen to hit the streets as it was against Malaysian law.

"You cannot protest in the country, you can only protest in your house," said Dr Mahathir. The signatories however, have agreed to participate in a gathering on March 27 to drum up public support. 

The Malaysian government released a statement later in the day that said the move by Mahathir demonstrated the depth of his "desperation".

"Today, Mahathir and his former enemies have demonstrated the depth of their political opportunism and desperation," said the statement.

It also added that "there is an existing mechanism to change the Government and Prime Minister. It's called a general election. And it is the only mechanism that is lawful, democratic and fulfills the people's will."

"In 2013, the Malaysian people expressed their will and elected the current government, lead by PM Najib. If Mahathir wants to change the Government, he must follow democratic process and await the next election, in line with Malaysia's laws and Federal Constitution," the statement said. 

'ONE GOAL'

Dr Mahathir said the assembled leaders, despite their differences, shared "one goal".

"We must rid ourselves of Najib as prime minister," he said. The move marks the greatest challenge yet to Mr Najib, and lends a potent voice to a growing public sense of disgust with his tenure.

Dr Mahathir was non-commital when asked whether the reforms pursued including the freeing of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, adding that the focus of the group was to remove Mr Najib.

However, former bar council president Ambiga Sreenevasan insisted that Mr Anwar's release was paramount in pursuing reforms. 

'UNDER FIRE'

Mr Najib, 62, has been under fire for a year over allegations that billions of dollars were stolen from a state investment fund he founded, and his own admitted acceptance of a US$681 million overseas "donation".

Amid cascading calls to step down, he has counterattacked by purging his ruling United Malays National Party (UMNO) of critics.

The government also has arrested whistle-blowers and shut down media outlets that have reported on the allegations, raising growing concern over the future of rights and freedom of expression in Malaysia.

The joint statement by the anti-Najib alliance lamented the "deteriorating political, economic and social situation in the country".

'BADLY TARNISHED MALAYSIA'

"Today Malaysia is badly tarnished," it said. "There is denial of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and people live in fear of arrest and detention."

Those present at the press conference included Muhyiddin Yassin, who was Mr Najib's deputy premier for six years until he was ousted last year after calling for a probe into the funding allegations.

They also included the top leaders of three of the largest opposition parties and the head of an electoral reform movement that brought tens of thousands into the streets last August to demand Mr Najib's ouster and deep reform.

The anti-Najib group's statement repeated allegations that perhaps billion of dollars were skimmed from the state investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), in a bewildering array of complex overseas transactions.

1MDB is an investment company established in 2009 by Mr Najib to fund development projects in Malaysia. It has denied any wrongdoing. The new movement also highlighted the US$681 million deposited into Mr Najib's personal bank accounts in 2013.

Mr Najib at first hotly denied taking the money, but the government has since maintained that it was a personal donation from the Saudi royal family.  This claim has been ridiculed in Malaysia as an implausible cover story.

The Saudis have yet to officially confirm the claim. A report this week by the Wall Street Journal said it had found fresh clues that the donation originated from 1MDB funds, adding that it found no evidence that the money came from the Saudis.

Malaysia has been dominated since independence by UMNO, which has overseen decades of impressive growth and living standards.

But voters have increasingly rejected the party over its divisive racial politics, persistent allegations of rights abuses, recurring corruption scandals and accusations that the electoral system favours UMNO.