Abdullah, Najib Meet Dr Mahathir On 9MP
Bernama – 24 Feb. 2006
PUTRAJAYA - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today held a meeting with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad with the discussion centred on the country's economic development and the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) which would be tabled next month.

The approximately two-hour meeting beginning at 8.30 am at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here, was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. 
Asked on the matter after attending a function in Negeri Sembilan, Abdullah said: "Tun Dr Mahathir had been involved in our country's development for so long as a leader, so I felt it was good that we meet him on the development to be implemented this time."

He said the government would also discuss with the private sector, the academics and entrepreneurs to seek their views on the country's direction which would be outlined in the 9MP. When met by reporters, Dr Mahathir said: "I feel happy if they also ask for my opinion. Maybe it's useful, maybe not. I wouldn't know.

"But I feel if they have already asked the academics, private sector leaders, asked many people, I'm one of those who are also entitled to give my opinion as a former politician," said the former prime minister.

He said that the session was dominated by a briefing on the strategies and agendas outlined in the country's proposed 2006-2010 development plan.

Without divulging much detail about his input, Dr Mahathir said he aired his perception about the state of the economy and suggested possible ways to give it a boost.

"I said that my perception was that the economy now was not moving at a rapid pace. Several things need to be done to boost the economy.

"I can't give the details to you. What I said was just that," he said.

To a question, Dr Mahathir said it was not for him to say whether or not he was happy or satisfied with what he heard.

"That is the role of the government. I did not express any views whether it is good or bad. That is not my role. I just gave my views," he said.He said Abdullah's team also highlighted the views of the Umno Supreme Council regarding efforts to improve the lot of the Malays.

The meeting, he said, touched on the perception of some people that the different races that made up Malaysia seemed to be moving away from one another.

"I am talking about there being no mixing among them in schools now. It can be said there is total separation. The Malays going to national schools, the Chinese attend Chinese schools. There is no meeting at all. Previously, there were some meetings, now they don't meet," he said. Saying that he saw notes being taken during the meeting, Dr Mahathir reiterated that he was just giving his views during the session.

"Just like the others too, if we give our opinion, it's not necessary that the government will accept," he said, downplaying his role in the meeting which he, in jest, described as "historic".
Source: Bernama | www.bernama.com