Two Chinese based Barisan Nasional component parties have taken Tun Dr Mahathir Mohmad to task for his scathing attack on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying that the former prime minister should back up his criticism of Najib's failed policies with proof.
Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng (pic) said while constructive criticisms are welcomed, it should be done behind close doors instead of washing dirty linen in public.
"Such criticisms will affect both the prime minister and BN's image. I want proof of the shortfall of Najib's policies.
"I also want to know on what basis he is saying Najib is worst than Pak Lah?" he said in using the popular moniker for Najib's precedessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In lashing out against Najib's administration, Dr Mahathir had said yesterday he was withdrawing his support for the prime minister as his criticism had fallen on deaf ears.
“I have tried to give my views to him directly, which are also the views of many people who have met me," wrote Dr Mahathir on his popular blog, chedet.cc.
"This has not been effective so I have to criticise. I have no choice but to withdraw my support," he said, adding that Najib was worse than Abdullah.
Last night, Dr Mahathir had said his criticism against Najib was not personal and it did not mean that the PM should resign.
Instead, Dr Mahathir said he was unhappy with Najib's policies and his soft approaches which, according to the former PM, did not benefit the country.
Liang said it is unfair of the statesman to rebuke the country's leader without giving concrete evidence.
The Simpang Renggam MP added that Najib should be given more time since he only took over as PM in 2009, compared with Dr Mahathir, who governed the country for 22 years.
MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker said during Dr Mahathir's tenure from 1981 to 2003, the former prime minister too had faced public criticisms, turbulence and perceived weaknesses but he weathered through it without attacks from his predecessors.
He said the country's first and third prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn respectively, had never resorted to personal attacks even though they had issues with him.
In contrast, Dr Mahathir resorted to personal attacks on his successor, Abdullah and now, Najib.
Dr Mahathir began openly attacking Abdullah and his administration in 2006 over his policies, including cancelling the “crooked” bridge to link Singapore and Johor.
He turned to his blog to criticise Abdullah for his “half-past-six government”, and even took shots at the latter’s tendency to nap in public.
"Instead of resorting to sweeping statements and venomous personal attacks, he should go on issues in specifics and details for the people to judge.
"As an elder, he cannot be the jury, judge and the prosecutor. He should exercise some restraint and decorum," Ti said.
The MCA leader said Dr Mahathir should realise that his days are now over, and that the country has a different leader who is faced with challenges that is different than during the statesman's time.
"In the current challenging circumstances faced with emerging extremisms, the prime minister is still the best man for the job and he should be given more time," he said.
Umno leaders too have rallied around Najib in light of Dr Mahathir's rebuke, with party vice-presidents Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi saying the PM was doing his best in administering the country and that he should be respected by everyone, including ex-leaders.
However, Umno's grassroots wanted Najib to heed the concerns raised by Dr Mahathir, illustrating the sway the former PM still holds among the party's rank-and-file. – August 19, 2014.
- The Malaysian Insider -
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