Muhyiddin breaks silence on Dr M’s criticism of Najib

Responding to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s leadership, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the Prime Minister listens and consults the Cabinet in making policies and decisions.

The deputy prime minister said Najib was not dictatorial in his decisions.

"Policies were drawn up after decisions were reached together.

"In matters like national security, involving state or international borders, and incidents like the MH370 and MH17 tragedies too, a majority of the decisions were made after discussions," said the Umno deputy president today.

Muhyiddin was delivering his speech at the opening of Umno Permatang Pauh's delegates' meeting in Seberang Jaya this afternoon when he finally addressed the criticisms Dr Mahathir hurled at Najib.

"Many have asked why the deputy prime minister has yet to comment on this. Today, I will address it here since this Umno division is special," he said, making him the most senior party leader to respond to Dr Mahathir's criticism.

The division in Permatang Pauh is a stronghold of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was formerly Mahathir's deputy prime minister before he was sacked in 1998.

Last week, Dr Mahathir lashed out at Najib’s administration, saying he was withdrawing his support for the latter as his criticism had fallen on deaf ears.

He said many policies, approaches and actions taken by the government under Najib have destroyed interracial ties, the economy and the country’s finances.

He said Najib’s slide began when the latter listened to his “enemies’ demands” and abolished the Internal Security Act in 2011 and the Restrictive Residents Act, which had previously allowed the government to detain anyone including suspected criminals without trial.

“I have tried to give my views to him directly, which are also the views of many people who have met me.

"This has not been effective so I have to criticise. I have no choice but to withdraw my support," Dr Mahathir wrote on his blog, chedet.cc.

He even said Najib was no better than his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Badawi.

To date, Umno leaders have been mainly cautious in their reaction to Dr Mahathir's strong and open criticism against Najib.

Many had in a way defended Najib with Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is Umno vice-president, leading the way by saying that the PM is doing his best in administering the country.

This was followed by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who said that Najib must be respected by all, including Dr Mahathir.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor responded that Najib should be given a chance to implement his suggestions, while the party's information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan told a Seputeh Umno meeting yesterday that the former PM should have been circumspect with his criticism.

Muhyiddin said Dr Mahathir's criticisms against the present administration will always be taken with an open heart and appreciated.

"Tun (Dr Mahathir) remains to be a person who is well-respected and we will respect his views. We thank him for raising the issues.

"I do not think there is anyone who doesn't respect the veteran leader," he said.

Muhyiddin said he had met Dr Mahathir and briefed him on certain issues.

"He had invited me several times before to talk on various matters," he said.

Muhyiddin also said times have changed since Dr Mahathir's time in government, especially with the emergence of the social media.

The influence of the online social media like Facebook, Twitter and others cannot be denied, he said.

"During Tun's time, it was just starting but now everything is in real time.

"That needs careful management (on the part of the government) because information has become more accessible to the people, making them more knowledgeable," he said.

Muhyiddin said he was not looking for excuses for the government but wanted to merely point out that things were not the same as 10 to 30 years ago.

He also said he was confident that a majority of the people are supportive of Najib's leadership, namely Umno divisions nationwide.

"Let's give him time to make improvements on matters like the economy, interracial relations and others," he said.

Later in a press conference, Muhyiddin stressed that Najib was an open-minded person, who listened to views and comments.

He also addressed the issues raised by Dr Mahathir such as the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) and the repeal of the ISA.

"I felt it too when Tun spoke about the policies because I was also involved in the decision-making," he said.

Muhyiddin said BR1M, although the amount received by each recipient is not a huge amount, the cash handout had a big impact on the people, so did aid given out to small time farmers.

"We realise the repeal of the ISA had huge implications but it has been done, and we have to look at other laws to safeguard our safety and security now,” he said.

On Dr Mahathir pulling back his support for Najib, Muhyiddin said it was "a reminder by a father-figure".

He said Dr Mahathir's intention is to get Umno to do better, especially in the next general election to defend the government.

He said the criticisms by Dr Mahathir should not be turned into something that could split Umno when unity within the party was crucial.

"Surely that is not Tun's intention... his way (of voicing his criticisms) is not new. Once he had disagreed, got really angry and left Umno. But he returned,” he said. – August 24, 2014.