Former Malaysian PM Mahathir says he has lost faith in the government

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad says he has lost faith in the government as his repeated advice against some of its policies had gone unheeded. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad says he has lost faith in the government as his repeated advice against some of its policies had gone unheeded. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

PETALING JAYA (The Star/Asia News Network) - Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad says he has lost faith in the government as his repeated advice against some of its policies had gone unheeded.

He said Prime Minister Najib Razak's administration had failed to learn a lesson from Barisan Nasional's poor performance in the 13th General Election, and continued to introduce policies that were destroying interracial relations and the country's economy.

"I have no choice but to withdraw my support. That too has not worked. Therefore, I have no choice but to criticise," he said in a post on his blog, chedet.cc, on Monday.

Tun Mahathir, who was Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister, hit out at the Government's supporters for refusing to advise their leaders on matters of national interest.

"I am criticising because I believe that leaders who are not criticised will believe that everything they do is right. Only when they are criticised, do they realise their mistakes.

"If nobody else will criticise them, then let me be the one to do it, even if it means I am abused. I have to accept that," he said, referring to his sacking from Umno in 1969 for criticising Tunku Abdul Rahman and being shunned for criticising his successor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said that his criticisms, however, had led to both leaders eventually resigning as prime ministers, stating that he too had resigned before he was pressured to do so.

"It is not that I do not love my leaders, but I love my country more," Dr Mahathir wrote.

He said Datuk Seri Najib's policies and approaches were no better than Mr Abdullah's, and blamed the former for listening to his enemies when abolishing the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2011.

"These actions did nothing to reduce opposition from the other side. Instead, the crime rate increased as many gang leaders were freed."

The former prime minister said Mr Najib's humble approach towards neighbouring countries had exposed Malaysia's internal affairs to interference from these nations.

"However, the views of the race and the party that have long supported this Government and helped to protect it have not been given fair treatment," he said.

Dr Mahathir also criticised the Government for using public funds to gain support from the people every time there was an election.

"This makes the people too dependent on the Government. The people's motivation to work hard and succeed is affected when they are rewarded without any effort.

"It is not helping the nation's development," he added.

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