PM denies blocking Dr M-Najib meeting
Malaysiakini.com
May 8, 2008 
Chan Kok Leong

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today denied claims that he recently thwarted a meeting between ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and deputy premier Najib Abdul Razak.
MCPX

abdullah ahmad badawi pm mihas halal convention 080508 04"Tak ada halang, tak ada (didn't block, didn't block)," was all that the premier said when he was asked to comment on the claims made by Mahathir yesterday.

The former prime minister yesterday told reporters that he tried to set up a meeting with Najib immediately after the general election to discuss about current affairs.

"He (Najib) said he would first have to get the permission of the prime minister. Apparently he did not get permission. So until now, he has not seen me," said the former premier who is now Abdullah's harshest critic.

Mahathir has openly called for Abdullah to take responsibility for Barisan Nasional's heavy defeat in the March 8 general election and step down from both the premiership as well as from Umno presidency.

Until recently, Mahathir has been openly pitching for Najib to take over from Abdullah. However more recently, he has said that there were also other capable candidates to take over the top posts.

Police report against Karpal

Abdullah also said that he has instructed Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor to lodge a police report against DAP chairperson Karpal Singh over his allegedly seditious remarks against the Sultan of Perak.

"The statements that he (Karpal) has made gives the impression that the sultan does not know the law," he said.

"As such, many (including Umno) are upset."

"I'm also told that others - Malays and non-Malays - who respect the constitution, also feel slighted by what has happened. They may also complain to the relevant authorities," said Abdullah at the sidelines of the 5th Malaysia International Halal Showcase at Matrade.

abdullah ahmad badawi pm mihas halal convention 080508 02The exhibition is aimed at promoting halal goods made in Malaysia to Muslims in other countries. The trade show is from May 7-11.

Earlier today the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club had lodged one such report against Karpal.

On the new leak in the Parliament roof yesterday, Abdullah went back to his usual one-liner: "If there is a leak, repair it quickly."

Raja Petra has to face the law too

When asked to comment on Malaysia Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin's prosecution under the Sedition Act 1948, Abdullah said the blogger too has to face the law if he has broken it.

"What wrong with it? If he has already broken the law of course he will be charged," quipped Abdullah.

"And if he is found guilty, he will have to accept the punishment."

Raja Petra was charged with sedition over an article which he wrote in his website on April 25.

The article allegedly implied that DPM Najib and his wife of being involved in the killing of a young Mongolian woman.

Raja Petra claimed trial to the charge. He is the first blogger to be charged for sedition in Malaysia. 

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