Abdullah should be ready for a stinger from Dr Mahathir, warns Utusan Malaysia
(TMI) – Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should be ready for a taste of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s “caustic and cynical” rebuttal over the former’s remarks in his new book warned Utusan Malaysia.
The paper said it was just a matter of time before the country’s longest serving prime minister would reply his successor’s cutting criticisms.
Awang Selamat, the collective voice of the paper’s editors, said Abdullah’s remarks in the book “Awakening: The Abdullah Badawi Years in Malaysia” has dissipated any hope of improved relations between the two.
“I’m praying that a healthier debate will take place so that any negative fallout doesn’t affect Umno and Barisan Nasional. This needs both leaders to cooperate,” Awang wrote in his weekly column in the Umno-controlled Utusan Malaysia.
In the book, Abdullah, popularly known as Pak Lah, spoke about how the country would have gone bankrupt had he bowed to pressure from Mahathir to continue spending without control on mega projects.
Abdullah said Mahathir only wanted his suggestions to be followed without question and refused to listen to the opinion of others. He cited an example where he went to see Mahathir to explain the postponement of several mega projects due to a budget deficit but his proposals were rejected and he was told to continue spending.
