Rahman Dahlan to Dr Mahathir: Why would anyone take lessons on democracy from a self-confessed dictator?

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said it was ironic that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad talks about democracy when he himself has admitted that he was a dictator when in power.

He also took to task Opposition leaders and former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim for rallying behind Dr Mahathir now when they have always accused him of authoritarian rule when he was in power before.

He said Dr Mahathir’s new allies had before this said democracy in UMNO "died" under his rule and that he destroyed the rule of law and independence of the judiciary in Malaysia.

“Despite this, he is now asking for a return to Dr Mahathir's rule,” Abdul Rahman said in a statement today referring to Zaid.

Abdul Rahman said Dr Mahathir is bitter because of his failure to remove Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak from office and in that place have his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz.

“He is angry that when it comes to democratic elections, he and his allies keep failing. For example, the two recent by-elections and Sarawak's state election, which Dr Mahathir described as a referendum on the Prime Minister, saw the people gave landslide victories to Barisan Nasional with even greater majorities than before.

“The people are ignoring the sad and increasingly deranged rantings of a bitter old man. After all, why would anyone take lessons on democracy from a self-confessed dictator?,” he asked.