Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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(Apr 30): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said he wants to meet Umno grassroots to explain his criticisms against prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, after some quarters said that his actions were damaging to the party.

In his latest blog post on chedet.cc, which was also posted on a pro-Mahathir blog, the former prime minister said it was only fair to listen to both sides before people made up their minds on the issues he raised.

"I hope I am given the opportunity to meet Umno members to explain the problems related to the loss of billions of ringgit by Najib. After listening to both sides, then judge my 'attacks', whether I am destroying the party or trying to save it," he wrote.

Dr Mahathir has been chastised by Umno leaders and supporters for his series of attacks against Najib.

He explained that his vocal criticism against Najib was solely aimed at saving Umno which used to receive strong support from the electorate, until the 2008 general election when Barisan Nasional (BN), of which Umno is the lynchpin, failed to retain the two-thirds parliamentary majority.

"Only those who do not see this will not realise that Umno under Najib has failed to revive the party after Tun Abdullah," he said, referring to Najib's precedessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who took over from Dr Mahathir in October 2003 and stepped down in 2009 following BN's dismal performance in the polls.

"Najib's chances of winning is very much slimmer," he added.

Dr Mahathir thanked party grassroots, some of whom have advised him not to attack Najib, but said based on his experience, the Malays are known to be loyal to their leaders and will not question them.

In recent months, Dr Mahathir has urged Najib to step down over the 1MDB scandal, the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) cash aid, and also urged him to come clean over the 2006 murder of Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He has also told Umno to remove Najib or risk losing the next general election.

However, Najib has declared he would never back down and stressed that his government was transparent.

Two days ago, Najib said he was aware of the mounting criticism against him, but added that he would not be alone as long as his "noble goals" remained alive. – The Malaysian Insider

 

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