MORE PICS & Video– Dr Mahathir Reopens Abdullah wounds; Campaign in GE for some Candidates?; Double Talk – Cleaning Up what he allowed to establish
ABOVE: DAP 2008 GE Mascot - See the Video Clip link at Bottom
UPDATE:
Dr Mahathir Won't Support Opposition, Says Mukhriz
"My father will not in any way support the opposition. He has fought the opposition all his life," he said. Mukhriz, who is also the movement's International Relations and Non-Governmental Organisations Bureau chairman, said this in commenting on newspaper reports today which quoted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as saying that there had been no "gentlemen's agreement" between him and Dr Mahathir that he would only serve as prime minister for one term. Yesterday, the newspapers had reported Dr Mahathir saying as such. He was approached by reporters for his comments on the issue after receiving a RM100,000 donation for Aman Malaysia's Gaza Humanitarian Fund from Cheras Umno and the Cheras Education Foundation, which were represented by Senator Datuk Wira Syed Ali Al-Habshee, here today.
Instead, Mukhriz, who is also Aman Malaysia's coordinator, said the opposition would try to manipulate the issue to its own advantage and attempt to cause confusion among the people so that they would be disunited. "I think what is said by both of them strengthens Umno," he said.
He also said that remarks by Dr Mahathir that he would only support BN candidates (in the upcoming election) who were capable and deemed clean was in line with the Prime Minister wanting candidates with similar attributes. "It is the same as what Pak Lah (Abdullah) mentioned (at an Umno briefing), that the factor of the candidate himself was 60 per cent while the party was only 40 per cent (for victory in the polls)," he said.
Mukhriz said what was meant by his father was that the BN would still be the preferred choice of the people if the candidates were able to serve them and their party sincerely and the coalition winning two-thirds majority, as before, would not be much of a problem. "This is not the time to change direction, what is important is to continue with the leadership," he said. Mukhriz added that Umno members must strengthen solidarity and not allow any party, especially the opposition, to split them. Asked if he would be contesting in the election, Muhkriz, who is the Jitra Umno deputy head, said he left it to his division and the party leadership. "It is not I who decide, but the Prime Minister. We can only voice our intentions. If not chosen, we will continue working for the party," he said.
Abdullah Is "About To" Call For General Election
ABOVE: Looking for the imaginary "inspiration" to call for Election to deny Anwar Ibrahim a chance to participate in GE 2008?
= == = == == = and a Silly Demand from PKR
Tan Sri Khalid: Let Anwar Contest If BN Is Not Afraid ;
It now appears clear that Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi will be calling an early general election by March this year. Whilst recognizing that the timing remains his prerogative, Parti Keadilan Rakyat call upon him to ensure that nomination day will be on April 15th or later so that Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Ketua Umum of KeADILan, will be able to exercise his basic political rights and participate in the election. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim has already been wrongfully deprived of his political rights since his first conviction on
Prime Minister Abdullah should recognize this and ensure that he does not fix the timing of the next election to once again deprive Dato Seri Anwar of his right to participate - a basic right which was denied to him in the 1999 and the 2004 general elections. We say have an early election by all means, but fix nomination day for April 15th or later. If Dato Seri Anwar is “irrelevant” to Malaysian politics as some persons have recently claimed, then there should be no reluctance in delaying the election by a month or so to allow him to participate. Allow Malaysian citizens to hear him and decide whether the ideas and proposals for reform that he and KeADILan are advocating are superior to the continuing mandate that the BN requests from them. Allow a fair battle of ideas to take place for the benefit of
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim; Secretary General.; Parti Keadilan Rakyat
I Don't Have Gentlemen's Agreement With Dr M, Says AbdullahKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has denied having a "gentlemen's agreement" with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he will serve as prime minister for only one term before handing over the post to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. "There is no gentlemen's agreement," the prime minister told reporters after opening the Pavilion shopping centre here today. Abdullah, however, declined to elaborate when pressed for further comments on the matter. He repeated, saying: "No, gentlemen's agreement".
The prime minister was asked to comment on the so-called "gentlemen's agreement" between Abdullah and his predecessor Dr Mahathir as claimed by the former prime minister that Abdullah would serve as prime minister for only one term before passing the baton to Najib. Dr Mahathir said yesterday that since Abdullah was older than Najib, he should be prime minister for one term and then Najib should be able to take over. Dr Mahathir claimed the agreement was made in 2003 when he handed over the leadership to Abdullah. Dr Mahathir, however, admitted that he had no way of proving it.
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Najib Not Aware Of Abdullah-Mahathir 'Gentlemen's Agreement'
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Stressing that he was not aware of any "gentlemen's agreement" between Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was committed to support and be loyal to the prime minister."I don't know about that (gentlemen's agreement). I am committed to support the prime minister and be loyal to the prime minister," the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after opening a seminar for Felda mosque officials. Najib said his focus at the moment was on the soon-to-be-held general election and "I want to ensure the Barisan Nasional wins big."
UPDATE:== == = = == = == = Transcript of Press Conference - issued by his Press Secretary, Sufi Yusof
Dr M: First thing before you begin to ask me questions I would like to thank you very much for your presence today. What my book is all about I have already explained just now so if there are anymore questions you are welcomed to ask, if I can answer, I will, if I cannot I will just shut up. Okay...
Q: Will you contest in the coming General Election?
Dr M : Well like the comedian who was talking about his girlfried, he would like to but he didn't...
Q: How much does the
Dr M : Well actually today the
But unfortunately too many countries have trade and investment links with the
Q: Tun now
Dr M : I don’t know the last figure I had was about 30% of our exports still go to the
Q: Your comment on lacklustre attitude from OIC in response to the problems in Palestine
Dr M : It is usual that they are not interested in the sufferings of the people in
Q: Tun akan turun
Dr M : Saya dulu saya terima iaitu saya akan bantu dalam kempen tapi pada tahun 2004 oleh kerana parti BN begitu popular saya dikehendaki tidak kempen di tempat-tempat tertentu. Saya akan kempen cuma kalau saya percaya orang yang dicalonkan itu ialah orang yang boleh membawa kebaikan.
Q: Politics is dirty because of politicians or is it that politics is just dirty?
Dr M : The politicians, because I am also a politician I don't play dirty politics but when people who have openly told lies and the whole country knows they told lies and they get re-elected...and (this) cause me to lose my respect and lose my faith in the political system as practised by them.
Q: In your book...(not audible)
Dr M : I have claimed to be a Muslim fundamentalist. This one (Hadhari) is modern Islam which is another thing altogether. I go for the fundamentals and the fundamentals of Islam is very good. It is not like the Christian fundamentalist where they are equated with extremism. To equate Muslim fundamentalist with extremism is wrong. It’s a misnomer. If you really follow the teachings of Islam, the basic teachings of Islam, you should be a very good man, a very progressive man, well-balanced person.
Q: (not audible)
Dr M : I always point out that for 1,400 years there have been many interpretations of Islam and many of these interpretations are influenced by the situation occurring at that time so the interpretation today is because we are a democratic country we will have elections and anything that we say can be used by the opposition in order to gain support.
Q: You mean current situation our interpretation is more for political reasons?
Dr M : Yes I think it is political more than religious. If its religious we need to sit down and discuss the basis of this decision and then only we can really say that it is an Islamic injunction not to do certain things.
Q: You say you will campaign for candidates...does this include opposition?
Dr M : No, I will not campaign for the opposition. But I am saying the people who support the BN should be a little bit more selective. Should think, should choose wisdom in their choice of the people they will support. If people name some deadwood, some corrupt politician as candidates even if they are from the BN, BN supporters should not support them. That way we can clean the party, BN and UMNO because there is no hope that Umno can be cleaned from within because everything is controlled now. Nobody can have an opinion and any contrary views they will make (is) sure will not be heard.
Q: Tun mengatakan bahawa pengundi termasuk penyokong BN perlu melakukan perubahan di piliharaya untuk megubah kepimpinan BN dan Umno. Itu maksud Tun?
Dr M : Ya, itu sahaja harapan kita. Itu pun bukanlah kuat sangat harapan kerana saya berpendapat pengundi-pengundi biasa pun kadang-kadang terpengaruh dengan cara yang tidak halal tetapi kita sudah hilang keupayaan untuk menukar pemimpin di peringkat parti kerana parti sekarang ini dibenar cuma mengata "Yes" kepada apa yang presiden kata. Jadi tidak ada real opinion dalam party anymore. No way you can change the leadership of the party or the way the party operates from within. If the people in
Q: Are you saying the PM for the moment can be considered in your definition as deadwood?
Dr M : I don’t know about what my opinion is but i know i have differences with him.
Q: Lepas tun lepas jawatan PM ada khabar angin tentang fail rasuah tokoh Umno kelantan yang Tun serah kepada Pak Lah untuk tindakan...
Dr M : Fail kalau ada akan diserah oleh ACA. Bukan saya punya tugas nak serah file tapi saya tahu ada kes tertentu yang harus diselidik dan tindakan diambil. Saya amat sedar bahawa kes corruption bukan mudah untuk kita buktikan. Dengan itu kita cuma akan dengar cerita yang buruk tetapi akhirnya tiada satu tindakan pun yang boleh diambil
Q: When you stepped down in 2003 you said you made a gentleman's agreement for him to stay one term. In this case macam mana?
Dr M : Even if I said I had this gentlemen's agreement there is no way I can prove it. My thinking that since he was older than Najib he should be PM for a term and then Najib should be able to take over.
Q: In the 22 years of your administration, there was fast track development, many things were done in record time...PM now needs more time beyond five years to develop his projects. What is your view?
Dr M : I know it takes time to implement plans and projects but i think if that is to be used as an excuse to stay in power for 18 years that would not be very welcome. But that time to implement...at this time only announcements are being made. He is already asking for time to do this.
Q: The PM announced economic corridor, repercussion not now... commitments made are huge. If not able to be delivered what will happen to future PM?
Dr M : What i think is that it certainly will not be delivered by the time of the election. So this is the reason why you should allow the present Government to go on so that they can implement. But the way, the things are being implemented are also questionable. Giving it to the so called GLC which then gives contracts to other people, none of which are very open that is not really the right way to do things.
Q: What is you greatest concern in 50 years looking at
Dr M : Well, I think the Government does not seem to know how to progress, how to implement things. It’s already quite sometime since I stepped down. (It) would have been easier perhaps to just continue with the projects already on the ground but it was decided to postpone ostensibly because of lack of funds. But what I do know is that when I stepped down there was enough money to go ahead with all the so-called mega projects. Now they have decided to go ahead with some of the mega projects but the cost is very high, as much as 50 % more simply because the cost of living, the cost of everything has gone up in the meantime. So the postponement was totally unjustified. Now they realised that these are needed infrastructure.
Q: Time to implement projects...you mean he should carry on as PM?
Dr M : It depends upon the record you have shown in some other things that doesn't need too much time. If you show that you can implement it, the smaller projects, i think you should be given more time for the bigger projects. But what you see is just a stoppage, a kind of reversal of the previous policies and projects ostensibly because there were no funds and this is not such a good judgment.
Q: Now you are complaining of cronyism and nepotism in Pak Lah's term...(question not audible)
Dr M : Well I am aware that I was not always right but those people who were called my cronies were not my cronies. As a matter of fact when I was accused of these I published, I made public the list of people who had projects etc and it was clear that they were not people I know except for the very well known figures. I was not practising cronyism but of course these (accusations) were attached to me as a kind of label to undermine my credibility (and) I cannot get away from it. But today we see nepotism creeping in. We see companies getting projects to the extent that many Malaysian entrepreneurs and contractors are now going abroad. They said there is no opportunity within the country.
Q: Tun, as ahli Umno No 1. Are you aware of current happenings within the party, do you get any updates?
Dr M : Nothing, I am completely cut out
Q: Compared to during your time the BN is no longer as united as before...
Dr M : When we have a group of people working together, we must know how to handle them. They have grouses, they have differences but if you handle them properly and tackle the grouses, I think they will sit together. But if you show any weakness, giving in, people will take advantage of your weakness.
Q: In the recent state assembly sitting in Kelantan Datuk Mustafa Mohamad admitted he asked you to stop developing Kelantan when PAS took over Government...
Dr M : Well not only Mustafa but all the rest of Umno felt you should not develop Kelantan because if you do they will tell people..."Look even if you don't vote for BN you will still get development, so why bother to vote for BN?" - that's what PAS will say and that has always been a problem with PAS even in my constituency. If a village is supportive of PAS and i were to give a bridge or whatever PAS will tell people "Look you don't have to support the Government so support us." Because of that we had to hold back.
Q: Do you think political Islam will play a big role in the next General Election?
Dr M : It will be exploited to the utmost by PAS and the Government will have its hands full trying to handle it.
Q: What about racial issues?
Dr M : It is unfortunate because we have never really achieved racial harmony but we have been able to keep it within control. But now people are not only taking action based on race but also on religion. They say Hinduism was not something that will cause a ..... (not audidble)....but now Hindus apparently feel dissatisfied with their lot and have made this demonstration. I don't say that because I agree with them. I don't agree with them. But they see a Government that is retreating and of course they want to take advantage.
Q: Apa pendapat tun tentang sekiranya anak beranak dapat jawatan utama dalam parti umno. Bolehkah orang Melayu terima?
Dr M: Psychology....attitude Melayu berbeza sikit. Dia sokong bukan kerana individu. Sokong kerana parti, kalau bagi a piece of log there or a stone they will still vote the party because this is my party and I cannot allow my party to lose. The Chinese are much more selective. They did not like me in 1969. They made sure I lost the election but they also made sure the
Q: You were reported that MIC should be blamed for the Indians' plight. Were you misquoted?
Dr M : No, its not MIC as a political party. But the thing is that people, rather Indians, who may not agree with MIC but still wish to support the BN are not given ay chance at all. In their frustration, whether MIC is right or wrong is a different matter, obviously there is no opportunity for anybody else, any other Indians, to come up.
Q: What role are you trying to play in the next General Election?
Dr M : I'm trying to promote cleansing of the party by the people, because within the party it is not possible to cleanse. If I say anything there will be a chorus of people who will curse me including some of my former ministers...they will curse me...so if I'm going to be cursed by them i might as well be cursed for everything else.
Q: Strategi pukul anak sindir menantu...
Dr M : There is a risk in all these things but I hope that we will love this country enough to vote for the best candidate.
Q: Masksudnya Tun boleh terima hakikat pembangkang menang lebih?
Dr M : No, pembangkang tak mungkin menang lebih banyak daripada BN. Lebih banyak dari sekarang mungkin, tapi tak boleh jadi kerajaan.
Q: More than in 1999?
Dr M : 1999 was a different matter. A question of a black eye
Q: 99 was issues of emotion, but now isu harga barang, jenayah jadi kebimbangan pada rakyat...
Dr M : Well the issues are different. There is problem of inflation etc but more important is the quality of leadership, quality of Umno that has degenerated to the point where members cannot say anything. You say something you are hauled up and asked to choose between the PM and whoever. So there is not a slightest freedom that is allowed and in my case I was invited by many people and the people who invited me were called by the police not to go ahead with the invitation, to cancel the invitation. Of course you can use police for implementing the law but there is no law that allows police to threaten people that if they hold the meeting and invite me they will get into trouble. But this is what happened.
During my time, Tengku Razaleigh wanted to make a speech they could make a speech. Anybody who wanted to make a speech, even Tengku Razaleigh, I did not stop him. But here the moment I stepped down almost I was practically not allowed to speak.
Q: How do you plan to cleanse the party?
Dr M : Its up to the people to vote in those leaders who are clean because the party will not clean itself
Q: But what is you plan?
Dr M : I don't know all I can say is talk to you (the Press)...
Q: How about the leadership,,,
Dr M : Its up to the people to make an assessment as to who should continue or who should go.
Q: Your assessment...will there be total change in the line-up
Dr M : I think there will be no total change. There will be some people who will be retained some people who have not delivered they should not be retained
Q: The young generation?
Dr M : Unfortunately the young generation does not even bother to register
Q: Claims of vote buying, any proof?
Dr M : In my case I have proof. People were bribed not to vote for me in my constituency and I expect that to be extended, it was nothing just a small matter but still these attempts were made to prevent me from becoming just a wakil
Q: Do you think there will be outright vote buying?
Dr M : There is that possibility. I was told in the by election that thing happened.
Having regained his health somewhat, Dr Mahathir is back to his usual self and track to denigrate PM Abdullah style of leadership of accommodation especially on foreiicies issues. And he is still harping on the “one-term government” for Abdullah “which would pave the way for deputy premier Najib Abdul Razak, should take place sooner to make way for the party next generation of leaders to move up the political ladder” as was suggested in the ST Singapore Forum on “What LIES BEHIND the STANDOFF between Dr Mahathir and PM Datuk Seri Ahmad Abdulah in KL” (Details H E R E).
His wish to participate in the campaign for candidates he perceived as worthy would not be welcomed by Abdullah. But who would seek his “services” and be identified? It is laughable that he wants to "promote cleansing of the party” when he had for years allowed the rot to set in.
His pronouncement that it is “impossible for the Opposition to win more seats than BN, to form a government” fits in nicely with what the opposition has always claimed that the “elections” have been rigged, not physically in the voting but the gerrymandering that has been in place all along for a BN perpetual stay in power.
His confirmation of “mindset of the Malays is such that even if you put a piece of log (to represent the party) they will vote for it..” shows that the Malay votes have all along “been blind” to that extent either for PAS or for UMNO.
His latest Book "Mahathir's Selected Letters to World Leaders.” is an incomplete one ("censored") as it was reported that many other letters (being sensitive) have been embargoed by the Government - prevented from being from being published to cause embarrassment to existing living personalities.
Present government refuses to declassify more letters – from Jeffooi.com; his Incomplete Book (ABOVE, Cover, priced at RM49.90, 237 pages for his fans)
This is an important context because the supposedly juicier part of Mahathir's letters had been embargoed as long as Abdullah Badawi is in power. According to James Wong, the editor of Dr Mahathir's book Abdullah Ahmad -- aka Dollah Kok Lanas (DKL) -- had told him that Mahathir initially wanted to publish about 200 letters. However, the present government only allowed 84 to be declassified and 13 were further dropped with the consent of the editor and publisher “because they are relatively unimportant”.
DKL’s introduction to the book states that those letters withheld by the current government are actually “more noteworthy and interesting”. “The selection, to my mind, of the letters to be released was poor. It was imposed on him (Mahathir) by the government of his successor,” he said, adding that Mahathir is currently writing his memoirs.
Interestingly, book editor Dollah Kok Lanas is someone emplaced by Mahathir but Abdullah Badawi decided to sack as soon as he took over as the Prime Minister. Kalimullah Masheerul Hassan was soon placed in DKL's position as the NSTP's successive GEIC and the rest, as they say, is history.
By Jalil Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday he would remain a thorn in the side of his successor in the run-up to elections, and would continue to speak his mind. Until subdued by heart problems last year, the outspoken Mahathir was the most vocal critic of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, accusing his government of lacking "guts" and selling out Malaysian sovereignty. "I still disagree on several of his policies, mainly allowing Malaysians to be subject to
DEAD WOOD
In the interview, he took Abdullah to task for "wasting (public) money", dismissed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as a "daydreamer" and asserted that the domestic economy was in "bad shape" without a rally in commodity prices. Mahathir said Abdullah's ruling front would be returned with a strong majority in the polls, widely expected by March, but said voters must get rid of dead wood in the coalition. "But there are certain people whose contribution is negative. These people should not be chosen as candidates," Mahathir, wearing a collarless Nehru suit, said at his office in the 88-storey
"I still support the party and I still believe the party will win with a good majority but one must not confuse support for the party with support for the individual," he said.
On Anwar, Mahathir said his political enemy would not be a major factor in the coming elections. "He's not a real factor," he said. "There's no more political future for him. If he thinks he's going to be the prime minister, it's daydreaming of the worst kind."
A charismatic speaker, Anwar was sacked from government in 1998 after falling out with Mahathir. Anwar then led street protests before he was arrested and later jailed on what he called trumped-up charges of graft and sodomy. Released in 2004, his corruption conviction means he cannot stand for elected office or hold political office until April this year.
Mahathir, who has a history of heart problem, underwent a heart bypass in September and doctors have advised him to cut down on travel and other activities, including horse-riding. The operation was Mahathir's second such surgery since 1989 and followed two heart attacks over the past 13 months.
His quarrel with Abdullah came to the fore after the government scrapped Mahathir's idea to replace a causeway linking
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2008/01/30
Dr M pledges to campaign for 'worthy' BN candidates
By : Farrah Naz Karim; NST; PUTRAJAYA, Jan 30:
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has pledged his support to campaign for Barisan Nasional candidates whom he believes could bring about positive changes to the party. "(If I am asked to) I will, if I believe the candidate is worth it," he said at the launch of a book which contains a compilation of 71 of his letters to world leaders, including those sent to United States President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Dr Mahathir said his role in the impending elections is also to "promote cleansing of the party” but added that Malaysians on their part, must prove that they loved their country enough to vote only for the best candidates and those who are "clean". Asked about an arrangement he allegedly made with his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2003, Dr Mahathir said although he had no way of proving it, he said the understanding was for Abdullah to serve as Prime Minister only for a term, before passing the baton to Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“That was my thinking, since (Abdullah) was older than Najib, he should be PM for one term and then Najib should be able to take over,” he was quoted by AFP. “I know it takes time to implement plans and projects but I think if that is to be used as an excuse to stay in power for 18 years then that will not be very welcome.” Dr Mahathir said it was crucial that the people only voted in leaders who performed and were credible because "the party would not be able clean itself up".
"It is up to the people to assess who should continue and who should go ... candidates who have not delivered must not be retained, only that way can we clean up BN and Umno," he said adding that he would never lend his support to the Opposition. Dr Mahathir said there was no reason for voters to feel that they should accept a candidate just because he is from BN to ensure the party's win. This, he said was because it is impossible for the Opposition to win more seats than BN, to form a government. He said Malay voters especially, must change their mindset and not keep voting merely for a party but should rather consider the candidates fielded. Cautioning voters of an irreparable move if they did not vote wisely, he said unless Malaysians wished to have a party that is centred on nepotism and corruption, they must reconsider voting for the same people who have not performed. "The mindset of the Malays is such that even if you put a piece of log (to represent the party) they will vote for it... as they cannot allow the party to lose. "If you cause a candidate to lose, it does not mean that the party will lose, it will still win," he said.
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DrM: Vote for 'good candidates', not parties; Pauline Puah; theSUN
PUTRAJAYA (Jan 30, 2008): Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says voters should vote for "good candidates" instead of parties in the next general election to ensure the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially its main component Umno, is "cleansed". "(This is) because there is no hope that Umno can be cleansed from within. Everything is controlled now. Nobody can have an opinion and contrary views ... they will make sure they are unheard," he told a press conference after launching a book titled 'Mahathir’s Selected Letters to World Leaders'. He said voters should not support corrupt leaders, even if the candidates are from BN. "That way, we can clean up BN and Umno," said Mahathir, who was in his usual combative mood.
Mahathir said he would only campaign for candidates who can bring good to the country but will not campaign for opposition candidates. "Last time, I said I would help in the (election) campaign. But in 2004, the BN was so popular, so I did not campaign. (Now) I will campaign if I believe that that candidate can bring benefit to the people," he said. "I hope that we will love the country enough to vote for the best candidate. But I think people who support BN should be a little bit more selective. (They) should think and have wisdom to choose people they support."
On whether he could accept the fact that the opposition would win more seats in the next general election, he said the Opposition would not win more seats than BN and that even if they have more seats, they would not be able to form a government. Mahathir said political Islam will be exploited by PAS in the coming general election and the government will have its hands full managing it. When a reporter asked whether he had a gentleman's agreement with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that the latter would only helm the country for one term, he said: "Even If I say that I have this gentleman's agreement, there is no way I can prove this."
"(But), that was my thinking - that he (Abdullah) was older than Najib . He should be PM for one term, then Najib should be able to take over," he said. The book contains 71 letters from Mahathir to the world leaders of his time, such as former British prime minister Tony Blair, former
Updated:
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Book On Dr Mahathir's Selected Letters Launched
ABOVE & BELOW: The cutting of the yellow ribbon to launch the book with little help from Abdullah Ahmad
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today launched his book entitled "Mahathir's Selected Letters to World Leaders. Never-before-published correspondence with esteemed leaders from the world over, the 71 letters by Dr Mahathir, Bush, Chirac, Blair, Thatcher and Prince Charles (among others) are unique as they interpret and argue their contrasting positions on terrorism, globalisation, economic and diplomatic relations, and war and conflict. The correspondence were transparent, solid, and informative. Dr Mahathir writes directly, in his own recognisable voice and style, a unique correspondence by a remarkable Malaysian Prime Minister.
ABOVE: A foreword by the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin (BELOW)
It is a book to be enjoyed, on many different levels, by all who love politics, diplomacy and international relations. None of these letters have been published before and the most obvious feature is the style, the simple words used to explain various complex, issues were written in ordinary English sentences.
The 237-page book, retailed at RM49.90 was published by Marshall Cavendish, an international publisher of books, directories, magazines and on-line learning.
It was edited and compiled by Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad (ABOVE, celebrating his 70th B/D last year) who is an MCKK-Cambridge and Harvard-educated writer, public intellectual and the founding chairman of the
= == = == = = =Watch the 2 min Video Clip - Book Launch & his Advice on Electing UMNO Candidates, Abdullah's denial, Najib Unaware & his so called Inspiration
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