Dr M: It's a disaster

Dr M: It's a disaster
By Debra Chong

PUTRAJAYA, June 25 - A hundred days after the 12th general elections and Barisan Nasional's electoral setback, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's diagnosis is straight to the point - Malaysia is still on the road to perdition.

"It's a disaster!" Dr Mahathir spat out when asked for his comments at a book launch in the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya.

A trenchant critic of his anointed successor Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Dr Mahathir used his trademark sarcasm to lash out at the government for it missteps and said the government does not exist and is using public funds to bribe the people.

"This government is in total denial, refusing to listen to what people are telling them. As far as the country is concerned, this government is a total failure," said Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years before handing over to Abdullah in 2003.

"Beyond responding to complaints, they keep distributing money. If you complain they will give you money. Sabah complains, they give RM1 billion. Sarawak complaints, they give another billion. Government funds are now used to bribe these people."

He pointed out that even the Cabinet is at odds with Abdullah over judicial reforms tabled by de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

"From what I understand, his proposals were not agreed by the Cabinet. It's a funny Cabinet, the Cabinet says one thing, the prime minister says one thing.

He summed up the 100 days by simply saying, "Now, there is practically no government. Everyone's very concerned for their own politics."

On that point, Dr Mahathir joined Abdullah in defending Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak from allegations of being involved in the killing of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, saying it was a political ploy.

"They are not really interested in crime or achieving justice. They have a political agenda. This is the time to run somebody in government down. So, they just seize the opportunity," said Dr Mahathir, who has been needling Najib to take over the helm of the country and Umno from Abdullah.

Malaysian Insider