Not impossible for Dr M, Najib to reconcile, Utusan says

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s calmness in the face of stinging criticism from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad shows there is still room for the two men to iron out their differences, Utusan Malaysia’s editors said.

Writing under the pseudonym Awang Selamat in Mingguan Malaysia, the daily’s weekend edition, the editors also warned that the continued animosity between the duo could place Malay politics at great risk.

“Especially in the current political landscape, which is even more challenging than the era before,” Awang said, before pointing out that the government’s political foes like those in the DAP are already preening with pleasure.

“Awang believes it is not impossible for Dr Mahathir and Najib to repair ties. Even though Dr Mahathir’s remarks have been offensive and humiliating to Najib, the prime minister has remained patient and calm.

“There is still room,” the editors said.

Dr Mahathir has been relentlessly siccing criticisms at Najib, citing his disappointment with the latter’s alleged failure to address the many allegations plaguing his leadership.

The still-influential former prime minister even said recently that he could no longer remain silent and that the days for diplomacy have long passed, adding he will now push for Najib’s resignation openly.

He said Najib’s refusal to address allegations such as those surrounding 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and linking him to the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu have put Barisan Nasional’s (BN) rule at risk.

Dr Mahathir has also criticised the Najib administration’s annual cash hand-out to low-income groups through the Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) initiative.

His attacks prompted several BN leaders to criticise the former prime minister over his own time in power and come out in support of Najib.

Earlier this week, Najib sought to respond to Dr Mahathir, telling a pre-recorded interview on TV3 that the latter had probably increased his criticism towards him for two reasons — because Dr Mahathir had wanted BR1M scrapped and because he wanted the “Crooked Bridge” project revived.

Noting Najib’s move to reply to Dr Mahathir, Awang wondered today if the former prime minister would continue his attacks.

“Awang has no answer to this, but we hope Dr Mahathir will take the cue from those who want him to be a little fairer to Najib.

“Like what Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said... give Najib a chance to rule in his way. Many issues that Dr Mahathir raised like the 1MDB issue are currently with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC),” Utusan’s editors pointed out.

The paper added that Najib’s leadership should be defended while Dr Mahathir should continue to be respected as a statesman who has contributed much to the country.