By Wong Choon Mei, Suara Keadilan

Malaysia’s former premier Mahathir Mohamad has taken to task the foreign press for demonising his protege, the scandal-plagued new prime minister Najib Razak.

In his latest blog posting, Mahathir lashed out at the international media for what he alleged was “a concerted effort” to bring Najib down.

“From France to Britain to Australia, the articles are identical and carried the same message. The PM  is said to be corrupt and involved in a murder case,” said Mahathir, who as the fourth prime minister ruled the country with a fist of iron from 1981 to 2003.

“Included in the condemnation of the new PM is the allegation that he would bring back Mahathirism. By this the Western press seems to imply that the fourth PM was a dictator who detained for no reason, manipulated the judiciary, controlled the press etc.”

The 83-year old, regarded by many Malaysians as being a dictator during his time in power, concluded that Najib did not have to bother about foreign views. It is what Malaysians think of him that matters.

“As the person concerned, I will leave it to Malaysians to judge and to define Mahathirism. They are the constituents which Najib should care about. The foreign press has an agenda of their own. And their friends in Malaysia are feeding them with the anti-Najib stories as they fear Najib would put a stop to their control of the media.

“Najib can expect to hear more of this kind of demonisation from the foreign press but it is what Malaysians think that counts. It is with them that Najib has to clear his name.”

But Malaysians too have negative perceptions about Najib

Perhaps Mahathir’s closeness with Najib has marred his vision somewhat, but a quick survey will show that many Malaysians do indeed perceive Najib as having - at one time or other - indulged in corrupt activities, although he has taken pains to deny this.

A case in point is the by-now world-famous commission-cum-murder case of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu. Both Malaysians and the international community see the hauntingly beautiful 28-year old as a modern day Mata Hari who helped Najib and his associate Razak Baginda seal a multi-billion ringgit submarines deal.

Three state-of-the-art submarines including two Scorpenes were ordered by Najib during his tenure as Defence Minister. French shipbuilder Armaris has come under the spotlight for paying a commission of 114 million euros to a company controlled by Baginda.

In Malaysia, questions are also rife as to why this commission - which amounts to over RM500 million - was paid and not used to reduce the acquisition price of some one billion euros.

If that had been done, it would have saved Malaysian taxpayers a hefty RM500 million, a huge amount by any currency standards.

Altantuya, who was pregnant when she was murdered in Malaysia in 2006, had demanded her US$500,000 share of the commission, but according to French newspaper Liberation, a jealous Rosmah Mansor - Najib’s wife - refused to give her a cent.

It is indeed telling of the lack of ethics in Malaysia’s current national leadership, that instead of acknowledging cause for doubt where there is weakness, or considering the fallout to the nation should for example, the French government order an investigation into the Armaris-Najib-Razak Baginda commission case, their first reaction is to blame and condemn others.

Just days ago, Najib’s government ordered four private Malaysian TV stations - TV3, ntv7, 8TV and tv9 -  to observe four commandments relating to coverage of the Altantuya murder case.

(One) No naming of political analyst Razak Baginda and to ignore all news background related to him.

(Two) No visuals showing Razak Baginda in previous trials and after his release .

(Three) No reporting that Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor were linked to the case.

(Four) No reporting of statements from those accusing Najib and Rosmah of being involved in the case.

Is it any wonder that most Malaysians harbour strong suspicions about their new PM and his wife? Then, how can Mahathir - who incidentally was previously rapped by a Royal Inquiry for judge-rigging - fault the foreign press?

Comments (48)

...
written by joejoe, April 22, 2009 05:40:16

MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THE PERCEPTIONS ARE NOT PERCEPTIONS

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by ROBERTNGTG, April 22, 2009 04:27:19

Malaysia’s former premier Mahathir Mohamad has taken to task the foreign press for demonising his protege, the scandal-plagued new prime minister Najib Razak.

In his latest blog posting, Mahathir lashed out at the international media for what he alleged was “a concerted effort” to bring Najib down.

BUT FOR THIS SENILE DICTATOR, IT IS OK FOR HIM TO SLAM AND SCREW BODOWI AND EVERYONE ELSE TO GET WHAT HE WANTS???

• 
• +2
• 
• 

...
written by Tok Din, April 22, 2009 00:26:12

This old fox has outlived his usefulness. Who he thinks he is? We have borne the yoke of slavery far too long.

• 
• +2
• 
• 

...
written by StevenO, April 21, 2009 20:10:28

Stupid senile!!! Can't you understand that there's no point in slamming those International press?? They will not budge! Unlike our Malaysian media that has no back bone but are very skillful in "jilating" UMNO arseholes!! No way you can intimidate them, you understand??!!

Tell you what, advice your backdoor PM to sue the hell out of all those oversea press for libel. Sure to make tons of money since you are so cock sure that your waterboy is innocent. We will cheers for you if you have the guts to take them to court.

Besides, if you win, you can really be proud to have finally earn some clean money on your own effort.

• 
• +2
• 
• 

...
written by SamBall, April 21, 2009 18:43:29

"Mahathirism" I know not. "Mahataikism" I know is the ability to scorn everyone else and think his is the only view

Why listen to a half baked senile old coot spouting racism and apartheid politics. If I see you, I will throw a shoe at this half past racist dictator. What a sore loser you are kaka; why don't you listen to what Msians are saying? Maybe you deaf, old kera'lite? Msians don't like you, Msians don't want you, you're a big pile of shit, maha taik!

Msian are not stupid like your views of the poor Malays and they are not in dilema, kaka. You are the one who is confused and demented in your thinking.

Halo, why not retire to kerala or you prefer kamunting? Your turn is coming, kaka.

• 
• +3
• 
• 

...
written by Areyaar, April 21, 2009 17:05:49

Does the old man seriously think that Malaysians are all morons? Does he not for even a moment consider that all over the country, people are asking why there are so many unexplained incidents?

The monumental commission on the subs for example is just unbelievable! Who gets that money and why do they get such an unbelievable amount when we are short on so many essentials?

Have you been to the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital lately? Have you seen how old-fashioned and poorly run it is? One has to wait a very long time for treatment; appointments are given months in advance. Imagine what that 500 million could have done to upgrade the outdated KLGH as well as provide better medical care in other parts of the country which are sorely lacking in these essentials.

500 million of the tax-payers money!! Where exactly did it go?

And then there is the huge mystery which they continue to ignore: how and why were all records of Altantuya's entry and exit from Malaysia erased from the immigration records? Does not the Malaysian public have a right to know how such things could have happened and what corrective action should be taken?

There are many more unanswered questions but, ofcourse, the old man continues perhaps to believe that the only intelligent Malaysian is him and that everyone else is just too stupid to comprehend the facts of life.

• 
• +4
• 
• 

...
written by thumb, April 21, 2009 17:03:18

Najib has no guts/sensitivity to counter any accusations, so this former adivsor to Mugable,Former coup leader, Sitiveni Rabuka does the job for him.Look at what happen to these countries, they are in turmoil, and this is what will happen to Najib. Keep on advising Najib Tun.

• 
• +3
• 
• 

...
written by Aduh, April 21, 2009 16:22:08

Earlier mahathir he did not favour najib as pm. Now different story. Has mukriz factor got anything to do with it ?

• 
• +2
• 
• 

...
written by SimpleSoul, April 21, 2009 15:30:52

Ppl.. please do yourselves a favour. Allocate at least 3-4 hrs a week to meet naive, old or long time supporters and educate them on whats really going on. Tell them they should not vote for these morons as if will affect us or our children. Old people such as my relatives are really unaware of whats going as real information do not reach them to make good judgments.

Please be aware, come next GE, all sorts of tricks will be done to ensure BN stays in power. So we need BIG TIME mindset change to let PR take control. Can with yr closest freinds. So from now on its going to be,
Cakap Politic, Makan Politic,Tido politic, minum politics, Spa politics and speak about Change! even in a public toilet about politics.

• 
• +5
• 
• 

...
written by SimpleSoul, April 21, 2009 15:23:26

Why local press cant write, are being written by foregin press.Itu saje....takde lebih lagi!

Kalao the reporters are locals then we can... apa nama.. ISA him/her sebab dia orang boleh destabilise the nation and prosperity.

• 
• +5
• 
• 

...
written by fromamovingtrain, April 21, 2009 15:10:19

mahatiu:"It is what Malaysians think of him that matters."

Ehem, what do you think (the majority of) malaysians ACTUALLY think of him?

You should have been better off retired and stay retired.

• 
• +5
• 
• 

...
written by the1, April 21, 2009 13:41:09

Accept the facts la, Mr. Racist-senile?

• 
• +7
• 
• 

...
written by Sudahlah tu, April 21, 2009 13:35:48

sumpah bomoh tua johor yang meninggal .....
kezaliman mamak ini akan terjawab di kerusi tamaknya sendiri ...
kini , dia kembali berduduk di kerusi tamak ini ...
baguslah ...
bersama anak razak ... berdua mereka akan membebaskan Malaysia daripada sumpah razak yang telah memulakan kezaliman ke atas Malaysia ..
Bersyukurlah kita semua ..
Allah Yang Maha Berkuasa sedang melakukan hukumanNYA ..

• 
• +6
• 
• 

...
written by boeytahan, April 21, 2009 13:20:06

Just like what I've said recently, Najib as PM's days are numbered. Didn't expect it to be so expedetive. Mahathir is pointing fingers in camouflaging foreign media's reports.
He's saying that Najib is very tainted! So what does Malaysians have to do? Invite Huhyidden to be our PM in due course otherwise Malaysia would be un-reconstructional!

• 
• +6
• 
• 

...
written by born2reign, April 21, 2009 13:17:57

I believe the foreign press loves to be "intimidated" by the real PM Mahatahi since Najis is just a puppet on a string.

Is Najis gonna put these foreign reporters in ISA too because they mentioned Altantuya, the mistress to Najis?

So senile ol'man since everyone must suck up to Najis, why are you NOT saying nice things about Najis? Why are you the only one able to criticise him? Who are you to deserve this "priviledge" to criticising the president of UMNO, aren't you afraid you will be sacked?

You will die with you eyes open coz UMNO is going at each others' throats the moment you heave your last breath! Face it you are a dictator, you cannot groom leaders. Period.

• 
• +8
• 
• 

...
written by mykantree, April 21, 2009 12:53:27

The only irony is that these foreign presses are right.Otherwise those alleged to have committed wrong should then exercise their rights to sue these foreign presses.No?

• 
• +6
• 
• 

...
written by Vincent, April 21, 2009 12:49:59

WHERE THE HELL IS BALA !

• 
• +17
• 
• 

...
written by Semut Jantan, April 21, 2009 11:49:58

Toon Dr. Manhadtail,

So who erased the immigration record of Altantuya?

Rakyat is not supposed to know because Najis was in charge then? Are you trying to spin Malaysia back to the dark ages again? 22 years were enough, kutty.

• 
• +13
• 
• 

...
written by Lim Lim, April 21, 2009 11:41:06

hey mahatahi,chepet,kalau tiada ribut,mana ada ombak??
don't jus do the hoodwinking stunts by blaming the west!
in the first place,why the sms message 'all is not lost...be cool....i'm meeting the IGP..the AG'??
why the hell that immigration record of altantuya went missing??who was responsible??
who provided n endorsed the travel documents for altantuya to france??
why the utk inspector was not tabled as witness??
who is keeping bala?where is bala??
old crab,jus answer these questions should be sufficient!what about u come forward n reply on behalf of najis??mahatahi,please do not treat malaysian as stupid fools by blaming the west!shut up n it is high time u fcuk off for good!!

• 
• +12
• 
• 

...
written by fireduck, April 21, 2009 11:36:34

Mahathirism .... I checked the dictionary and the answer came out EXACTLY as you mentioned: .... that the fourth PM was a dictator who detained for no reason, manipulated the judiciary, controlled the press etc.”

If only we can shoo him away just like that. Pesky, pesky.

• 
• +7
• 
• 

...
written by JohnQ, April 21, 2009 11:25:07

Dear sir, you havent reply to my proposal as yet ! That is

"to desgn and build 2 miniature crooked brigdes with Feng Tsui elements on both wings of your graveyard"

I will offer AP discount booking fees.....if it is too much I asked for as consultant fees. BUT. do remember ..... it is in US$........

regards, PEACE !

• 
• +7
• 
• 

...
written by CheGUvera, April 21, 2009 11:19:05

How you wish you have the foreign press under your tum. Just like rice who wish the MSM not only writes bad of the opp party but he wants them to lie BIG too. So,this is also a "dream" of this racist, the foreign press to lie for him, maybe the zimbawe post might do that.

• 
• +6
• 
• 

...
written by JohnQ, April 21, 2009 11:19:00

"It is what Malaysians think of him that matters."

Ai Ya, old recalcitrant ! Malaysin thinks anf felt the same way, just that the foreign medias are rather too fair on the matter lah.

• 
• +5
• 
• 

...
written by Gerald, April 21, 2009 11:07:30

Dear Tun, pse don't talk much. With your heart problem, u'll not even last for another 12 months...so bertaubat la...Anyway, many Malaysians will join the long queue to spit on your grave...stop support an alleged murderer!!

• 
• +13
• 
• 

...
written by Fuminari, April 21, 2009 10:38:40

same old trick from the same old kerala crab,he would continually jus blame the west without seeing himself on the mirror!

• 
• +15
• 
• 

...
written by Sutha, April 21, 2009 10:34:01

I do not think anybody has the right to criticise his puppets. Surely, the puppetmaster will get annoyed.

Before finishing someone, God will make first him them go MAD. Based on that, I don't think Mahathief will last 12 months. Anyway, I will join the long queue to spit on the grave!

• 
• +12
• 
• 

...
written by mikefonz, April 21, 2009 10:13:01

During Bodowi's time he did the same.
He used whatever media he can to air his
dislike and comments to run the PM down.
Now he's complaining. Please shut up.

• 
• +27
• 
• 

...
written by teohpg, April 21, 2009 10:07:33

Dear Tun, I respect you as our former PM, but sometimes you are also a bit too much in defending someone blindly for your own self interest!

Dah nyanyok kot...

• 
• +9
• 
• 

...
written by Tan Tan, April 21, 2009 10:05:13

Mahathir should be respected as an ex PM.

However, he really should shut up and let Najib defends himself.

He is making it worst by talking about this which make more Malaysians think what being said about Najib is true.

If the accussed don't even do enough to clear his name, who is he to tell the rest of us that we should believe in or not.

• 
• +3
• 
• 

...
written by Tan Tan, April 21, 2009 10:03:22

Malaysians should be allow to vote for who is going to be PM.

For example, if BN can form the government, at least they needs to let BN leaders to run their own campaign to be PM.

And then all Malaysians will vote for the right candidate.

• 
• +15
• 
• 

...
written by KingSolomon, April 21, 2009 09:57:54

Frankly, at first I did not know anything about Najis purported involvement in the death of the mongolian model. And so I did not believe the story. But as I read more about the matter and followed the court case, I believe there is involvement.

So it is natural that investigative foreign journalists also found credence in the well-established rumours surrounding this case.

• 
• +21
• 
• 

...
written by Hope4all, April 21, 2009 09:49:28

If you read in chedet's blog, he mentioned Najib had to clear his name to his fellow Malaysians, but not the foreign press.

I think if you read between the lines, he didn't actually defend Najib at all.

• 
• +11
• 
• 

...
written by ahmadneil, April 21, 2009 09:36:39

Racist,we malaysian think the same as those foreign press that this playboy is definitely linked to the killing of Altantuya or otherwise he will have won millions in suing them for telling lies.But today your puppet is a eunuch and this shows that he have a hand in this murder.

No one in this world ,no matter rich or poor ,will be submitted to this serious allegations.Anyone will make every effort to right the wrongs that have been thrown at him or her.But for this man Najis,he just make a simple denial that he have never met this mongolian model.

From all corners of the globe,those who have follow this tragic story,would have point their fingers at Najis.Few would have such powers to delete sensitive immigrations records regarding Altantuya entry and exit from the malaysian airport,KLIA.

Till today,allegations after allegations kept on surfacing about all possibilities linking Najis to the killing of Altantuya.One of this is the release of his close aides,Razak Baginda who admit to having an affair with her. He was released from prison ,without calling for him to be cross-examined.

Another was a damning release of the SMS between Najis and Shapee Abdullah by Malaysia Today.This SMS show there was a concrete effort by Najis to divert the course of justice.This is abuse of power in the highest form and no malaysian will tolerate such dirty tactics.

Also the famous Malaysia Today writer,RPK, was arrested and ISA by Najis for writing the famous posting 'Let send Altantuya's murders to hell.'We must remember one is guilty only when the court say so but here the people's verdict have already been handed down the moment this tragic story broke.

• 
• +39
• 
• 

...
written by Old Man, April 21, 2009 09:33:06

Mahathir, please go ahead and sue the international media in the ICJ! Bangkitlah!!! We know you can win! Go ahead and sue.......... Probably will succeed in claiming Billions in Euros instead of Ringgit???

• 
• +25
• 
• 

...
written by SamYap, April 21, 2009 09:32:09

His reasoning is so warped. But guess what? There will be lots of people out there who will swallow everything he says, hook and sinker. Hopefully as time passes there will be less and less of these people. This man, Mahathir has damaged our country more than you'd ever know. And even now as we struggle with the global economic crisis, the weakened state of our nation's coffer is due to the mismanagement and excesses during his stewardship of our country. And many readers here, have listed other gross misconducts - such as the assault on the judiciary - which has further led to our country's lawlessness and other woes. This man is a traitor to Malaysia..

• 
• +33
• 
• 

...
written by Toyolbuster, April 21, 2009 09:16:30

Hello Kutty, the foreign press are right to describe you as a former dictator who desire to continue being a dictator of "democratic" Malaysia, period. You have inflicted great miseries to thousands of decent Malaysians just to satisfy your gigantic ego. God must have a weird sense of humor for keeping you alive after so many "close calls". But if we were to try to understand God, perhaps, it is to make sure you suffer an undying pain towards the decaying end of your pathetic life. You shall live long enough to witness the crumbling of UMNO, great humiliation of your son's fall (as indicated recently) from grace, and if we are so blessed, we could bear witness of you rotting behind bars or whichever hole that you may bore into like Saddam. As you lay dying in pain, you will beg for forgiveness, and forgive as they shall grant to you by the millions that would take years. God is great.

• 
• +66
• 
• 

...
written by bodohland_citizen, April 21, 2009 09:15:34

Mahadev, sudah dekat nak kojol, pergi lah ke masjid lebih kerap. Jangan sibuk nak berpolitik...takde yang nak dengar pun !

• 
• +32
• 
• 

...
written by ibabonma, April 21, 2009 09:08:57

Mahataik, we understand once Najib falls, you’ll go to the guillotine, ....
untuk dipancung hidup-hidup. Jangan mengelabah dan merapu, orang tua!

• 
• +44
• 
• 

...
written by SamSan, April 21, 2009 09:07:01

So Che Det is saying that in the Altantuya case just as in the Anwar'sodomy case I and II, that just like Sdr. Anwar, Altantuya committed suicide by shooting herself and subsequently blasting herself with C4 which she had smuggled in from somewhere. Che Det together with Tan Sri Dr. Ismail Marican should be nominated for the 2010 Nobel Prize on remarkable forensic discoveries.

• 
• +59
• 
• 

...
written by KARMANNGHIA, April 21, 2009 09:06:13

typo "BASICALLY"

• 
• -1
• 
• 

...
written by KARMANNGHIA, April 21, 2009 09:05:41

This old man is casically saying only he can use foreign press to hantam whoever does not dance to his tune, it didn't stop him from using foreign press to attack AAB, when AAB canceled the "CROOK" bridge.

• 
• +32
• 
• 

...
written by Kathy, April 21, 2009 09:05:17

Yes, Dr M is right : it is what Malaysians think of Najib that is important. And what do Malaysians think of Najib?

• 
• +58
• 
• 

...
written by KingSolomon, April 21, 2009 09:04:43

Mahafiraun demands to be addressed as Almighty, and Najis to be addressed as Saint.

Really, for generations we have not seen a man with thicker skin than this crooked fellow. He could even conceive a crooked bridge!

• 
• +53
• 
• 

...
written by takbolehtahan, April 21, 2009 09:00:59

the mamak must think all malaysians are stupid! i hope the foreign press are not intimidated by this mamak's statements. anyway, he is no longer the pm of malaysia, so there's nothing they should be afraid of. if the mamak wants to know what malaysians really think of najis, then this is what this malaysian think of najis ... guilty as hell and not fit to be our pm.

• 
• +93
• 
• 

...
written by malgal, April 21, 2009 08:55:29

the very man you so ardently protects against the press, has endorsed a freer media under his policy.
so how?

• 
• +40
• 
• 

...
written by ellyna, April 21, 2009 08:47:49

The 83-year old, regarded by many Malaysians as being a dictator during his time in power, concluded that Najib did not have to bother about foreign views. It is what Malaysians think of him that matters.

Hallo.....we think the same of Najib. Corrupt beyond redemption! That goes for you too stupid senile, old man!

• 
• +138
• 
• 

...
written by ultraman, April 21, 2009 08:45:22

Just to add to more bans on TV:

1. No mention of Altantunya
2. No onein malaysia can ba name Altantunya
3. No mentionof Mongolian
4. C4 is a taboo. strictly cannot be mentioned
5. Any girls resemboing Altantunya must be banned on Ads.

• 
• +88
• 
• 

...
written by jayenjr, April 21, 2009 08:42:04

---------------------------------------------------------------------

How dare any one criticse Najib?

Only I am authorised to do that

• 
• +175
• 
•