Friday, September 19, 2008

Pak Lah can't manage finance: Dr M

The former prime minister marked another milestone in his astonishing career by publishing a book based on his blog chedet.com.
Aptly named "Blogging to Unblock" as Dr Mahathir Mohamad only started blogging after he claimed to be blacked out by mainstream media – the book (in English and Bahasa Malaysia) is entirely made up of his postings.
At 83, the former premier continued to display his wit and sharpness in the ensuing press conference in Putrajaya after the book launch.
Commenting on the portfolio swap between Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Abdul Razak yesterday, Mahathir said that it was about time.
"I think it is an admission that he (Abdullah) cannot manage the Ministry of Finance. But actually there is nothing there because all the time it was being managed by Nor Mohamed Yakcop anyway (Second Finance Minister). "Only problem is there is a lot of interference with Nor Mohamed (that's what I learnt). He, himself (Abdullah) played no role at all in the management of the finances of the country," said Mahathir.
"He has put Najib there but we are going to face a very critical stage in our economy because of what is happening in the United States, especially the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the US$85 billion bailout of AIG."
He warned that if Najib does not manage the economy well, the deputy premier will be blamed for it.
On whether the swap will relieve some pressure off Abdullah within Umno, Mahathir replied with his trademark sarcasm.
"I don't think he feels any pressure at all," said the former prime minister. "Even when he lost the election or Permatang Pauh, he said it was nothing. I think his blood pressure must be very low. The whole country may feel the tension but he doesn't," added the doctor by training.
Recent arrests unjustified
Being a popular blogger now, Mahathir was also asked to comment on the recent arrests of bloggers.
"I think it is not justified. When people were arrested under ISA in 1987, there was tension in the country.
"There was this incident where a soldier shot somebody and Chinese were leaving the country. In order to restore law and order, the police had to take action.
"But this time, if you say that there is tension or security risk in this country because of the writing of a blogger … I don't think it's true at all," said Mahathir.
"Even if Teresa Kok was involved in a move to stop the azan, that can be remedied by explaining that this is not a subject she should be discussing about."
Mahathir said that there is no risk at the moment (even in the case of Kok) and when the need arises, arrests can be made then.
"As far as bloggers are concerned, if they attack the government that is not subversion. If it (subversion) is defined as attacking the government, then Harakah (PAS paper) should be placed under detention, including some of the PAS leaders.
Despite his many clashes with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, the former premier was also against any ISA arrest for his former deputy.
"I think there is a case against him. Wait until the case is heard instead of detaining him under ISA."
On him rejoining Umno, the elder statesman said that he wants to wait and choose his own time to return to the party he re-founded in 1988.
He added that there were many who are trying to persuade him to rejoin, saying that he can still contribute to the party.
"But I haven't made any application yet and I will choose the right time to rejoin," said Mahathir with his trademark grin.

tunku : najib has a lot of housekeeping to do, pak lah gave him the ministry in a mess.i think what tun said is right, pah lah blood pressure is very low, he just seem not to bother of anything, lost permatang pauh,its ok, lost 5 states, its ok and the recent one , sapp out of bn, its ok.i guess if bn lost the federal government , he will still say its ok.

7 comments:

Mat Cendana said...

My first time here, Tunku (only got an Internet connection two months ago).

I have to say that this is a very good post ... very informative and very current.

I have no connections nor experience in politics (but still wishing to write about it!). So, that means I have to learn "from my betters"; trying to get ideas for my own blog. It tries to see things in a more light-hearted way with satire, spoof and lampoon (with Badawi & Najib the main targets).

It was started on 13 Sept and is named Cendana Blues: Addicted to Politics at http://cendana287.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Dr.M memang sekarang ni tengah dalam misi untuk menumbangkan Pak Lah.orang-orang dia(Ku Li dan Mukhriz) pun sebelum ini dah mula beri tekanan pada Pak Lah untuk letak jawatan secepat mungkin.

Pak Lah memang kurang tahu juga mengenai finance dan bijak juga jawatan itu diberi kepada Najib kerana Najib pun sudah terlalu lama dengan Kementerian Pertahanan.apa salahnya berubah angin.

Anonymous said...

pak dol mana pandai semua ni, dia layak jadi menteri luar ke, warisan ke ok lah. kena dgn style dia. negara kita huru hara sebab cara pemerintahan dia la.

Anonymous said...

finance management need to be handled by a very well verse person about financial . you put a monkey there, they will ruin the country. last time anwar as the monkey has ruined it, and now dollah badawi.

Unknown said...

i foreseen as what Pak Lah did (swapped position) as a clever move.now,it's Najib turn to handle the Financial side of our country since he has been with the Defense Ministry for many years.

Pak Lah meanwhile didn't really function well as the Finance Minister since there are 2nd minister in charge.not to say that he's incompetent but his role is more towards governing the country more than handling the financial side (since there are 2nd minister to do the job).

finance is a on-going thing.now Najib have to prove that he's capable in handling the new given task.

Anonymous said...

Mungkin dia bertukar jawatan seperti itu untuk memberikan tanggungjawab yang lebih berat kepada Najib dengan harapan Najib akan betul2 bersedia dengan peralihan kuasa nanti. Jika terbukti Najib betul2 mampu untuk menguruskan semuanya nanti, sudah pasti peralihan kuasa akan berlaku.

Mat Cendana said...

@suka kecoh
Badawi ni nak bagi training kat Najib ke? Dalam keadaan di mana ekonomi dunia dan Malaysia sedang nak hadapi masa yang amat getir?

Kalau betul itu hasrat Badawi, maka kita boleh kata memang tak bertanggungjawab. Ni bukan masa untuk nak main-main, nak `try-try'.

Kalau silap buat keputusan tentang dasar kewangan, LINGKUP Malaysia!

Saya ni memang sangat anti-Dr Mahathir dulu (masa dia buat aniaya kat Anwar tahun `98 tu). Tapi dalam keadaan ekonomi sekarang, kita perlu orang macam Dr Mahathir.

Najib ni ada wibawa ke dalam hal pengurusan kewangan? Sebagai rakyat Malaysia yang bertaraf "nyamuk" saja, saya harap dia memang boleh buat - bukan harap atas kebolehan diri Najib sendiri untuk pikir hal ekonomi, tapi orang-orang yang dia lantik untuk bagi nasihat.