Financier Soros in Mahathir call

Financier Soros in Mahathir call

WASHINGTON (Reuters): International financier George Soros called on Thursday for the ouster of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and the release of the country's former finance minister, Anwar Ibrahim.

In remarkably blunt comments, Soros -- chairman of Soros Fund Management and adviser to the Quantum Fund -- said Malaysians should turn against Mahathir because his policies aimed to keep him in office and benefit his political allies.

Mahathir has previously denied allegations that he has favored friends in business deals and tolerated corruption.

Soros, whose comments are closely watched in financial markets, and Mahathir have clashed frequently about economic issues, especially about Malaysian demands for controls on capital movements.