Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir has refuted claims that his father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, masterminded the ongoing attacks against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's handling of the 1MDB controversy.

"Talks of how my father was involved with editing facts or emails does not arise at all.

"This is a very unfair allegation," Mukhriz said in his speech at a breaking of fast function at PWTC last night.

A recording of the speech was uploaded by a freelance photographer, known as 'minaq jinggo'.

Last week, Najib accused Mahathir of working with foreign nationals to conjur a story that the prime ministere had taken state-linked funds for personal gain.

Najib was referring to the Wall Street Journal report that nearly US$700 million from 1MDB's subsidiaries was channelled into his personal bank account.

Najib claim against Mahathir followed the arrest of former PetroSaudi International Ltd employee Xavier Andre Justo ( photo ), who was arrested by Thai authorities for attempting to blackmail his former employer.

However, Malaysian authorities have claimed that Justo had peddled " tampered " documents to Najib's detractors, and thus the allegations against 1MDB were false.

Mukhriz also touched on this, dismissing claims that Mahathir had any links with Justo.

'Allegation far from the truth'

"And now the latest (allegation) involves Justo, who was said to have tampered with documents and that my father is involved.

"This allegation is far from the truth and I hope this matter won't be prolonged.

“If there are quarters who feel that it is unfair to make baseless allegations against our leadership, it is also unfair to make such allegations against my father,” he added.

Mukhriz believes that Mahathir’s reprimands were nothing but his efforts to strengthen the party.

He also admitted how some had questioned why the old man (Mahathir) was still talking despite having been retired 12 years ago, and that voicing out his dissatisfaction would only affect the party’s image.

“But when it comes to the truth, when it comes to uniting the party, I believe these things are the reason why my father has come out with such rough statements.

“(And) I am not defending him here because he can do it himself,” Mukhriz added.