KUALA LUMPUR: In an indirect swipe at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he is not responsible to any individual, but to the people and his party Umno, and takes into consideration criticism hurled against him, including those by the former prime minister.

In an interview with Hamdan Ahmir on TV3 last night, the prime minister said he respects Dr Mahathir and the people of Malaysia, and that he was open to any criticism against his administration.

“I hope the criticism is prudent and responsible. I take every criticism into consideration.

“But in the end, I have to make decisions as prime minister and president of Umno. I am responsible to the people and the party,” said Najib.

He was answering questions about criticism against him by Dr Mahathir on his administration and on issues such as those related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, the implementation of the goods and services tax, and the strengthening of the Sedition Act.

He said Dr Mahathir wanted the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) scrapped and the “crooked bridge” linking Johor and Singapore to be revived, adding that these two issues could have been part of the reason why the former prime minister was relentless in his criticism.

“He (Dr Mahathir) had two things he wanted me to do. He wanted me to do away with BR1M and revive the Johor crooked bridge.

“I respect Tun, just like I respect all the people.” — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on April 10, 2015.