He did not name anybody, but the prime minister went on to rue that some of these "enemies" were people he would never have suspected.

"(The enemies) are like 'api di dalam sekam' (fire within the husk), they became 'gunting dalam lipatan' (scissors hidden in folds)," Najib lamented in his speech.

Former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin (photo) and former rural and regional development minister Mohd Shafie Apdal have been vocal critics of 1MDB, Najib's brainchild.

However, they were removed from the cabinet in July in a swoop by Najib, who also sacked then attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail the same day.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had been a mentor to Najib, has become increasingly vocal about his frustrations with the premier since late last year.

'Just say Mahathir's name'

PKR's Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar had responded to Najib's usage of idioms in describing these "enemies from within".

"So many idioms, just say Mahathir's name," she said in a tweet.

Najib, still not mentioning names, said these people will eventually see the country destroyed with their actions.

However, he admitted that he is only human, with his own strengths and weaknesses.

Despite facing "enemies from within and without", the prime minister has vowed that he will never give up.

"This is a government that has not stopped or given up on doing what's good for the people of this country.

"It is the custom of warriors to overcome obstacles. Hence, even if millions threaten to stop us, let the mountainous waves come; we will never give up hope," he added.

Along with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as well as the other BN leaders, Najib said his administration will continue to soldier on together.

"Undoubtedly, with time as my witness, what's true is true and history will eventually become proof," he said.

Najib has been facing a barrage of criticisms regarding the Finance Ministry-owned 1MDB, as well as for the RM2.6 billion deposited in his account which he claims to be an anonymous donation from the Middle East.

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