TUN DR MAHATHIR CONTINUES TO CRITICIZE PAH LAH AND HIS LEADERSHIP

Just barely after 17 hours of the peace talk at Seri Perdana, the Prime Minister's residence on Sunday at 3pm, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had a press conference at his home at the Mines, Sungei Besi, Seri Kembangan at noon on Monday (on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri) that although he had met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and had viewed various issues that had displeasured him for almost 2 hours, he would continue to criticize the present leadership until he finds some improvement on his grouses made. Tun Dr Mahathir informed that at most times Pah Lah just merely took notes of what he had to say. The only thing Pah Lah remarked about was that with the current rift between them, the opposition leaders, like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of KeADILAN and PAS leaders seems to be gaining an edge over the ruling party, Barisan Nasional.

Tun Dr Mahathir also informed the press that Pah Lah had while being his deputy had assisted his relative (sister-in-law) on the UN Food for Oil Programme where the parties had benefited billions, although Pah Lah had denied receiving any benefits. Tun Dr Mahathir told that since Pah Lah was a cabinet member and being his deputy, he should not have been involved at all in this Iraq Food for Oil programme.

Tun Dr Mahathir commented that Pah Lah has changed since he took the leadership from him.

Tun Dr Mahathir further informed that the chinese community in Malaysia are becoming quite sceptical of the Malaysian economy and unless the issues relating to them is addressed and resolved by finding ways of improving the economy, the chinese would prefer to relocate their business activities to China, which in turn will affect the economy of the country. Without a firm and strong support of the chinese community, the ruling government, Barisan Nasional may even lose the next polls. This issue was never raised during his meeting with Pah Lah.

Tun Dr Mahathir informed that the Malaysian economy is in bad shape and before he resigned from his position, the economy was strong although at that moment Petronas earnings were only about RM56Billion a year instead of RM88 billion at the present moment, compared to tax collections from individuals and corporate entities at RM60 billion. He told the present government is having alot of money at its disposal but seem to be doing nothing to improve the economy and well-being of the rakyat.

When asked by reporters whether he had given any memorandum to Pah Lah, he told there was no such things. Tun Dr Mahathir confirmed that he spoke about Scomi Group Berhad and ECM Libra which refers to Abdullah son, Kamaludin and son-in-law, Khairy.

Tun Dr Mahathir spoke about the restriction imposed on him to talk to UMNO members and if there was a invitation, the police force where sent to harras these individuals. It seems like a 'police state'.

When asked whether he will meet Pah Lah again if invited, he said he will consider if it was a public forum and the rakyat need to know what I have to say. If not, it is of no use.

Tun Dr Mahathir informed Pah Lah that he will continue to criticize if nothing is done to improve the current situation.

In the meanwhile, various UMNO leaders are surprise by the reaction. Everyone expected a peaceful solution would have been reached. Among the leaders are UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Norza Zakaria while UMNO Information Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib commented that Tun Dr Mahathir should stop criticizing and give a chance to Pah Lah to prove himself. We have one Prime Minister and we have to fully support him.