Tun M: Period for private discussion is over

The period to hold private talks between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is over," said the former Prime Minister today.

Dr Mahathir said he has has no intention to meet Najib after voicing his growing criticism over issues linked to Najib in his blog (www.chedet.cc) recently.

“I will not meet Najib. I’ve met him and I've been asked to keep quiet but I’ve kept quiet for four years. We've passed the stage of having private discussions... this is the last step and now, I have to do it openly.

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“Just like questions linked to the 1Malaysia Berhad Development (1MDB), we’ve asked many times with no answers ... has Najib ever responded? He never provided any answers during meetings with the division chiefs. Some had issued instructions not to raise the issue ... but, that’s not an answer,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said he had hopes for Najib particularly after Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi relinquished his presidency as UMNO president and prime minister to Najib in April 2009.

“I had high hopes for Najib but his performance is worse than Abdullah. Before the 13th general election, I have said that if his (Najib) performance proves to be worse than that showed by Abdullah, he should just quit ... as Prime Minister and party's president," said Dr Mahathir after speaking at a conference in Cyberjaya, today.

Dr Mahathir said a change in the party's leadership is necessary to restore the faith of the rakyat in the government and to ensure the country's continued progress.

“If he wants to survive, I think a reform in leadership should take place ... there are too many scandals and Najib could not provide any answers,” said Dr Mahathir.

However, he still support UMNO, but he does not agree with the party’s leader.