Mukhriz struggles to step out of dad's shadow
Malaysiakini.com
May 7, 2008 
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz 

Twice over the past two days, Mukhriz Mahathir (BN-Jerlun) has struggled to come out of the shadows of his father, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, even as other members of parliament seemed determined to keep him there.
MCPX

mukhriz mahathir gaza fund 010208 serious During the question-and-answer session this morning, Mukhriz was faced with a thinly-veiled charge from DAP leader Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) of asking a question that was not his own but came from his father.

Mukhriz had asked Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar (BN-Kota Tinggi) why Sri Lankan national BSA Tahir was regarded as a threat to national security as to warrant his four-year detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960.

"Tuan speaker, it looks like the question is from Tun Dr Mahathir and not from his son," said Karpal, before proceeding to ask Syed Hamid a supplementary question.

Following the home minister's reply, a miffed Mukhriz said before asking a supplementary question: "The question is my own. It is not from any other party."

Standing uncomfortably

Yesterday, when Mukhriz asked DAP supremo and veteran opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) whether he agreed that steps had been taken against corrupt leaders as reflected in the corruption charges against former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, Mukhriz got more than he bargained for as a response.

"Do not you agree that it was under the administration of Dr Mahathir that Malaysia became notorious throughout the world for KKN (Kronisma, Korupsi, Nepotisma)!" thundered Lim during his debate on the royal address.

Mukhriz, meanwhile, remained standing - albeit uncomfortably - as Lim inveighed against corruption and his father's legacy.

Even after another question was raised by fellow Pakatan Rakyat MP N Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai), Lim returned to the issue of Mahathir.

"The member from Jerlun had raised the question of Anwar Ibrahim. Would not you agree that the former prime minister should be prosecuted for corruption and abuse of power in the sacking of (former Lord President) Salleh Abas?

"An abuse of power that triggered the mother of all judicial crises?"

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