Umno sec-gen: ‘No problem’ between Dr M-Najib, all criticisms answered

(Malay Mail Online) – Questions raised by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have been answered and there is “no problem” between the former and current prime ministers, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has said.

Tengku Adnan, whose name was floated this week as a “mediator” between the duo, said Dr Mahathir was only giving his personal opinion in a blog post this week quizzing Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration over the 1 Malaysia Development Board (1MDB) and the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“I don’t know of any problem existing between Dr Mahathir and Naijb. Only certain individuals are intentionally sparking it. All issues and criticisms raised have been answered.

“I dont’ have to comment anything about resignation because for me, Dr Mahathir is a leader that has to be respected,” he was quoted saying in local daily Utusan Malaysia.

Tengku Adnan also described Dr Mahathir’s remark that the Umno-led administration would be defeated in the next general election without a leadership change as a mere prediction.

“The elections before this Umno was also predicted to lose but we were able to win because of the people’s support. Furthermore, all Umno members still support the current leadership,” he said.

Local daily New Straits Times also reported MIC Youth chief C. Sivarraajh saying that Dr Mahathir’s “rant” was “the rumblings of a man who must be forgiven for thinking he can still direct this country and order its new and elected bosses around”.

“For better or for worse, the people have voted and elected Najib as the prime minister and, until the people vote him out, he remains that,” he was quoted saying.

Sivarraajh also claimed that Dr Mahathir is worried that Najib would get credit and be stronger with the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat purportedly crumbling, with the attacks intended to prevent the latter’s “big comeback”.

On Thursday, Dr Mahathir insisted that police must investigate former commando Sirul Azhar Umar’s claim that he killed the Mongolian under orders, while expressing disappointment over Putrajaya’s attempts to fend off allegations surrounding the heavily indebted state investment firm 1MDB.

The country’s longest-serving prime minister also suggested on his blog then that Barisan Nasional could end up losing power in the next general election because of falling confidence in the current administration.