Dr M, stop criticising Najib - Lokman

Special Affairs Department (JASA) panel Lokman Noor Adam said Dr Mahathir’s criticisms at Najib implies an ulterior motive and for personal political gains.

“Every day, his attacks against Najib increases. And the latest, Dr Mahathir also criticised BR1M cash aid to those earning RM4,000 and below. It is not easy for UMNO leadership to answer Dr Mahathir,” he said when contacted.

He said the situation would have been different if anyone questions Dr Mahathir for lashing out at Najib.

“It would be a political suicide for anyone to question Dr Mahathir as the person would have to face his thousands of supporters who view him with such reverence,” he said.

“As my political career is now over following my defeat in the contest for the UMNO Youth vice-president, let me burn it all by talking about what exactly Dr Mahathir is doing,” he said.

Lokman said each leader has his own style in running the country’s economy.

“During Dr Mahathir’s time, one of the approach taken to stimulate the economy is by coming to the aid of big companies,” he said.

“I still remember, Dr Mahathir would always say that when the government aides the big companies, they will be able to pay the salaries of the employees and will also pay the government back by paying their taxes,” he said.

“That is Dr Mahathir’s style and that is also why Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at that time did not want to allow Petronas money of RM2 billion to be used to save MISC, which is closely linked to Mirzan Mahathir. Anwar was later sacked,” he added.

He stressed that if Dr Mahathir could not work with a person who commits sodomy, then Anwar should have been sacked in 1993 where the then Inspector General of Police, Tun Hanif Omar informed him about Anwar’s sexual orientation.

“But, Dr Mahathir never cared about Anwar’s sexual orientation when Anwar was faithful to him. He only took action against him when Anwar refused to help Mirzan who became emotionally disturbed during the 1997 economic crisis,” he claimed.

“However, it cannot be denied that Anwar’s sacking also had to do with the movement to name him as the next party president,” he said.

He said Najib had different approaches than Dr Mahathir in running the country.

“Just how many per cent will be enjoyed by the employees of a company given a RM5 billion aid as compared to the direct aid that they receive through BR1M,” he asked.

He said those who have received their BR1M last year would definitely have finished the money and argued that it was good for the local industries.

“Dr Mahathir is not really looking for answers when he raised questions on BR1M, 1MDB, Altantuya, Sirul or the jet that he and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah had used when he was the Prime Minister. All the issues have been raised and answered,” he said.

Lokman said it was clear that Dr Mahathir who turned 90 this year, had realised that he has little time left and needed to provide a clearer political path to his son, Mukhriz.

“Every PM after Dr Mahathir is only a temporary one until Mukhriz becomes the PM. The time frame given is also just five-years to allow Mukhriz to be able to become the PM while he was still alive,” he further said.

He also reminded the former premier to stop providing ammunition to the opposition to bury Najib.

“I’m worried that his action will not just cause the downfall of Najib but also the Barisan Nasional as the ruling party,” he said.