Dr M backs new PM

TAIPING - TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad has openly given his approval to new Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, saying that the current government was for the people.

The former prime minister said his confidence in Mr Najib grew following his willingness to get up close and personal with the people by meeting the masses on his second day as Prime Minister.

'I have full confidence that Datuk Seri Najib can address the problems in the country. I am also confident that he will take Malaysia to new heights benefiting all the races in the country,' he told a crowd of thousands at Dataran PPP near here on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after attending a luncheon with civil servants and the business community here, Dr Mahathir said he would not accept any position in the Cabinet, including as Senior Minister, if offered.

'No, no, no. No position in Cabinet. No position at all,' he said, adding that he would just be sharing his experiences of running the government with the new leadership.

Dr Mahathir also hit out at critics who labelled Mr Najib's leadership as a return to Mahathirism. 'What is wrong with Mahathirism? The country developed in its 22 years under Mahathirism,' he said.

Asked if he would continue to be critical of the Government, he said he would only do so if the Government under performs. 'In the past, when the Government did not perform, I criticised. I also criticised myself. That's my habit,' he said.

Dr Mahathir was also asked if his son Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin should be in the Cabinet. 'I'm biased towards my son, so it is wrong to ask me,' he said.

He also hoped that Umno members who had left the party would return to the fold.

'Times has changed. The Government today is truly for the people. So I am urging those who had left Umno, please come back,' he said, adding that the present administration was taking steps to address the people's unhappiness. -- THE STAR/ANN