Minister Asks Mahathir Not To Interfere In Administration
Bernama – 3/5/2006
KUALA LUMPUR - Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, Wednesday asked Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to keep his promise not to interfere in the administration of the country after he stepped down as Prime Minister.

Nazri said the action of the former premier in issuing statements questioning the government's decision to cancel the bridge project to replace the Johor Causeway was interference in government administration.

In a lengthy rebuttal to Dr Mahathir's statements in the Dewan Rakyat, he said: "My colleagues and I in the Cabinet hope that Tun will keep his promise to us, that is that he will not interfere in the administration of the country when he retired."

He said the action by Dr Mahathir to continue criticising the government on the bridge issue, including writing an open letter to MPs and Umno division heads, could be seen as belittling the current administration.

"When Dr Mahathir repeatedly hits out publicly, this would be seen by the public that Tun is trying to undermine the current government which is a continuation of Tun's own government," he said when winding up the debate at committee stage on the Supplementary Supply Bill 2006 for the Prime Minister's Department.

During the debate on the bill, several government backbenchers said they had received copies of Dr Mahathir's open letter and they asked the government to explain the position on the issue.

The Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak had recently issued a lengthy statement to explain the government's decision to cancel the project but it was rejected by Dr Mahathir.

Nazri said "Tun is wrong on all points" on the issue, and added that the decision was made by the Cabinet after taking into account all views, including the legal implications and the opinions of the public and MPs.

"Tun is the only one holding that view, whereas the Cabinet comprising 32 ministers gave their views and proper consideration before reaching its decision," he said.

He said Dr Mahathir was respected by all as someone who made great contributions to the people and nation.

"But this does not mean he is given a blank cheque to criticise without inviting a response from the government because it is the government's right to defend itself," said Nazri.

"It is on this basis that I wish to respond and I hope Tun will not be offended and the public will not think I am being disrespectful or do not value his services," he said.

He said the comprehensive explanation given by Ahmad Fuzi regarding the Cabinet's decision was true and clear.

"He is a professional, he does not play politics and he did not invent false stories. If Tun said his explanation was rambling, then I believe Tun has no strong arguments to rebut the facts, reasons and answers given by Datuk Fuzi who is not involved in politics," he said.

On the claim by Dr Mahathir that the Cabinet was only interested in selling sand to Singapore, Nazri: "That is a wild and irresponsible accusation by a former government leader against his colleagues who gave their loyalty to and strive for him when he was the Prime Minister.

"Because we did not want to sell sand, we rejected the crooked bridge and the sand issue was a new condition brought up by Singapore and not the Cabinet."

Nazri said that by describing the country as "half-past six with no guts", Dr Mahathir was referring to all the members of the Cabinet, most of whom he had appointed himself when he was the Prime Minister.

"For the information of the Dewan, 21 of the 32 current ministers can be considered senior who were appointed by Tun himself when he was the Prime Minister.

"I don't think Tun meant what he said about half-past six with no guts because then there will arise many questions about him personally as he was responsible for appointing us, and also because I don't think Tun is half past six with no guts," he said.

He said if Dr Mahathir was truly sincere in criticising and in seeking answers, he could come out straight and ask for a meeting with the government.

Later, speaking to reporters in the Parliament lobby, Nazri said he was left with no choice and had to explain the issue as it was brought up by many MPs.

"I take full responsibility for the reply I gave today," he said.
Source: www.bernama.com