TUMPAT (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has again taken a swipe at former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, telling him not to cross the line as it is unIslamic.
Datuk Seri Najib, who is also president of ruling party Umno, said Tun Mahathir's actions were akin to attempting to bring Umno's house down.
"Even God instructed the prophet Moses to advise the Pharoah properly, not to transgress and did not instruct Moses to bring down the Pharoah government.
"I am fine with disagreement or differing opinions within the leadership, but to attack me as the party president and try to destroy Umno by setting up an alternative political party is too much," Mr Najib said in his speech at the town of Wakaf Baru in Malaysia's state of Kelantan on Saturday (Aug 20).
Mr Najib said that what Dr Mahathir and his cohorts did speaks volumes of their loyalty to the party.
"It is okay if you are not loyal to the party president and senior leaders, but the attempt to wipe out the party is intolerable," said Mr Najib.
He added that Umno members were on the correct path as long as they remained loyal to the party.
Mr Najib said when he took over as prime minister from Tun Abdullah Badawi, he was advised to take the country to greater heights, which he was doing.
"Dr Mahathir is doing the opposite and he wants to see this government led by me crumble and fall. This action is downright rude and wrong," he said.
On Sunday, Mr Najib talking about Dr Mahathir again, describing him as a "control freak" and "obsessed about control".
"I spoke in an interview recently in Jakarta, saying that I have only two options. Either be a prime minister that has to refer to him when making big decisions for his approval, or be a prime minister based on the needs of the people and the party.
"If I choose the second option, sooner or later, he will attack me. Just like how he attacked Pak Lah (Mr Abdullah Badawi)," he said.
Mr Najib added that when Mr Abdullah did not listen, Dr Mahathir attacked him.
"When I did not listen to him, he attacked," he said during his speech before opening the Tasek Gelugor Umno division delegates meeting on Sunday.
Mr Najib also spoke about the importance of loyalty to the party and urged members to defend the government that has built over the years.
He also advised members to continue their struggle and look after the welfare of the people.
In Kuala Terengganu on Saturday, Mr Najib urged all levels of Terengganu Umno leadership to leave issues faced by the party in the state to him to solve.
Mr Najib said it was important to once and for all end infighting in the party and to ensure Terengganu becomes a strong fort of Barisan Nasional and Umno.
"Leave the captaincy of the ship to me to ensure everything is solved and we can sail this ship smoothly.
"I describe Terengganu as a 'swing state'. It can swing at anytime, defeat or victory for us. Today, we have to ask ourselves sincerely what we want and which way is the wind blowing?
"If we want to taste victory then we will have to behave in a manner that will ensure victory.
"Even if the issues before this can be categorised as 'a storm in a teacup' but the bottom line is that if we are not united, then we will have a tough time in Terengganu," he said in his speech at the Umno Kuala Terengganu division delegates meeting.
"The sooner we realise the better. There is no point regretting and crying over spilt milk later. Let's all unite under the Umno umbrella and work for the people," he added.
