KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad sought again today to rally Malaysians behind the call for Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s early resignation, claiming that the prime minister’s departure will help resolve the country’s currency and cost of living woes.

In a blog post simply titled “Najib”, the country’s longest serving former prime minister also urged the public to campaign for Najib’s removal, insisting that it is “totally democratic” to do so.

“If the currency and the economy is to recover, Najib must cease to be Prime Minister of Malaysia.

“Malaysians must demand for Najib’s removal. It is totally democratic to demand for his removal,” Dr Mahathir wrote.

What was undemocratic and unlawful, he claimed, was Putrajaya’s move to take action against those holding rallies to demand Najib’s removal.

Dr Mahathir said Malaysians should also demand that Najib allows the investigation against him to be carried out by independent parties, instead of those he had appointed.

If Najib is found to be guilty of any wrongdoing, he should be made to resign, Dr Mahathir said, referring to the controversies surrounding state-owned fund 1Malaysia Development Fund (1MDB), a firm set up by Najib in 2009, and the RM2.6 billion donation issue.

“Only his ceasing to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia will the economy recover, the Ringgit revalued up, and cost of living go down. Only after his removal can Malaysians stand tall again,” he said.

The ringgit has in recent weeks been falling to levels during the Asian Financial Crisis. Financial wire service Bloomberg reported this morning that the currency weakened past 4.38 against the US dollar.

Dr Mahathir had made an unexpected appearance at the Bersih 4 rally calling for Najib’s resignation last month, and had during the event, alleged that several Umno leaders were corrupt.

Days after the rally on August 29 and 30, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar announced that the police are investigating Dr Mahathir for allegedly defaming Umno during the event.

Dr Mahathir later told the police to arrest him if they wanted.