Muhyiddin (left) has come to the defence of his boss, Najib, following the scathing attack by former prime minister Dr Mahathir recently. - The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, August 24, 2013.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.
MORE TO COME.
- TMI
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