Dr M’s criticism not meant to hurt Najib, says Nazri
The criticism levelled against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was done for a good reason and not meant to hurt the nation's leader, said Umno loyalist Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz.
The Umno supreme council member, who holds the portfolio as tourism and culture minister in Najib’s administration, said the criticism should not be misconstrued as an attack on Najib because they were not meant to hurt him.
“Let him criticise. I know Dr Mahathir likes Najib very much. More than me definitely. Look at it positively and do more. Like me, people criticise me and I have no problem. I am still a minister. Just do better,” said Nazri.
He said those criticised by the former prime minister should accept his “advice”, adding that many still went to Dr Mahathir for counsel.
“I think we are now in 2014 and gone are the days when you think you are going to get all the bouquets. You now get brickbats too. Look at me, I’m still okay. People hate me but I am still a minister,” said Nazri.
He also said that people prefer to see Dr Mahathir because they were afraid to criticise Najib directly.
“So they went to Tun (Dr Mahathir). Being an elderly statesman and also our former boss, of course he is not afraid and can say whatever he wants.” said Nazri.
Dr Mahathir has been very vocal on his predecessor and had even said he was withdrawing support for Najib as his criticism had fallen on deaf ears.
“I have tried to give my views to him directly, which are also the views of many who have met me," Dr Mahathir had previously written on his popular blog, chedet.cc, adding that Najib was no better than his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Dr Mahathir on Sunday had once again criticised Putrajaya’s 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) cash handout to help the people cope with the rising cost of living, saying he had advised Najib against it but was ignored.
"Instead of giving cash, we should provide the people with training and skills. I have told this to Najib but he still thinks cash is king and that it can gain support," the former prime minister said in reply to questions from participants at a youth leadership convention in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Among the issues raised was the controversial sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), criticising Putrajaya for mismanaging its finances.
He had asked Putrajaya to explain how 1MDB benefitted Malaysians, as it incurred a RM38 billion debt within just five years of its operations.
Dr Mahathir had also hit out at Najib and other Umno leaders for failing to address the controversies surrounding 1MDB at last month's Umno general assembly.
1MDB, which is Najib's brainchild, has come under much scrutiny after several opposition leaders highlighted its massive debts, dubious land deals and secrecy over its transactions. – December 22, 2014.
