Dr M: Raja Petra accusation a political ploy
Malaysiakini.com
Jun 25, 2008
Chan Kok Leong

There is little agreement between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on most issues, but they were at least reading from the same script in the
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alleged participation of Najib Abdul Razak and his wife in the controversial Altantuya killing. They are both on Najib's side.

mahathir satria talk 310508 worriedAttending the book launch by his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali at the Perdana Leadership Foundation today, Mahathir said the recent accusations of Najib were nothing more than political ploys.

"They (Lim Kit Siang and Raja Petra Kamarudin) are not really interested in crime or achieving justice. They have a political agenda.

"As far as they are concerned, this is the time to run somebody in government down. So, they just seize the opportunity.

"You can't just write to the court and say, 'I learnt from reliable sources'. Hearsay is not evidence. I'm flanked by two lawyers but that is my understanding that you need to prove things beyond reasonable doubt," said Mahathir.

Last Wednesday, popular blogger Raja Petra filed a statutory declaration at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, alleging that Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor was at the murder scene of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

This was rejected by Najib today. Abdullah also defended Najib and Rosmah yesterday.

Kain pelikat inducements

After that, Mahathir nevertheless returned to his criticism of Abdullah and his government.

When asked on the issue of gatherings for Umno branch leaders and the issuance of a pamphlet entitled Umno Election Ethics, Mahathir burst into his normal sarcasm, calling it "entirely democratic".

"They (Umno branch leaders) are not supposed to ask questions when they attend briefings under the present government.

"They are not allowed to campaign or make speeches either. In fact, I understand the prime minister is calling all the branches to come here and listen to him.

"Here, they are well entertained and I hear that they are given one kain pelikat and RM200. These are rumours. But apparently the president can campaign but 90 percent of others cannot campaign."

"This is Umno democracy for you and he (Abdullah) will continue to remind people of his good deeds."

Money to buy support

On the question of support for the prime minister after his motion on fuel price hikes was passed in Parliament on Monday, Mahathir said it was because people behaved like robots.

"They can get people to behave like robots but the public knows this and they will not support the party.

abdullah ahmad badawi govt announce new petrol price increase 040608 04"Abdullah may say he is popular but at the Formula One races, he was booed by the crowd. I suppose that is a sign of his popularity," said Mahathir.

On Abdullah's 100 days in office, Mahathir called it a disaster because the government is in "total denial".

"This government is total denial, refusing to listen to what people are telling them. As far as the country is concerned, this government is a total failure.

"Beyond responding to complaints, they keep distributing money. If you complain the will give you money. Sabah complains, they give RM1 billion. Sarawak complaints, they give another billion.

"Government funds are now used to bribe these people," he added.

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