By Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad gave Datuk Seri Najib Razak a poor rating today, on the eve of the latter's 100th day in office as prime minister.
But the country's longest-serving prime minister, well known for his acid tongue, appeared to ease up somewhat in his blistering criticisms today.
"So far, the negatives are more than the positives," Dr Mahathir said when asked to comment on Najib's performance.
The good doctor seemed in good spirits today, which is his 84th birthday, and seemed at first disinclined to elaborate on Najib's weaknesses.
He repeated his previous disappointment at Najib's idea to build a third bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore on the underdeveloped east flank of Johor because it was done without "proper study" and would not solve the increasing traffic problems on land and sea.
He also listed the government's policy reversal on teaching mathematics and science in English and Umno's failure to boot out certain partymen who had been linked to corruption as among other examples of Najib's poor decision-making.
And then the politician was asked his view of Najib's "positive" points.
"Well... he has also been meeting more people," he smiled, referring to Najib's walkabout attempts to endear himself to the public since taking office, before dropping the punch line.
"And secondly, he doesn't sleep," Dr Mahathir added, in an apparent dig at his successor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who was widely seen as sleeping on the job — literally and metaphorically.
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written by jsn, July 10, 2009
written by jsn, July 10, 2009
Well said Tun.. in fact, you should rate the whole BN government poor.
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written by Countryman, July 10, 2009
written by Countryman, July 10, 2009
As usual, this is the beginning of a small battle, it will soon blow into a full scale war.
Good show on its way.
Good show on its way.
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written by Krishna, July 10, 2009
written by Krishna, July 10, 2009
The real Tun has re-surfaced. He has never had a good word for anybody other than himself and his family!
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written by chinese malaysian, July 10, 2009
written by chinese malaysian, July 10, 2009
just let PR form the Federal Govt and if they cant perform the voters will boot them out.
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written by PAUL YONG, July 10, 2009
written by PAUL YONG, July 10, 2009
"And secondly, he doesn't sleep,"
whaa haha... i like this line!
whaa haha... i like this line!
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written by suri, July 10, 2009
written by suri, July 10, 2009
tun dr.m made those statements so that he can clear out any link with dato najib.he wanted to show that dato' najib stands in his own feet and aren't tun's wiping boy
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written by bobbywee, July 10, 2009
written by bobbywee, July 10, 2009
TUN, This time you are absolute right! This non-sleep PM has wasted his twenty years in UK. He was brought up in English environment and should know how important is to master the language, but he decided to scrap the use of English in Secondary knowledge subjects. Maybe he knew how important is it, that's why he made the decision. So that those are capable to sent their children oversea or to the International school can lead or CONTROL the POOR's children. They have the AGENDA! As long as their children will lead the poor, then WHO CARE!!!!
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written by John Lim, July 10, 2009
written by John Lim, July 10, 2009
Dr M, most of the sensible Rakyat also rate Najib poorly!! I support your view....time to bury the BN governement one and for all!!!
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written by Hang Tuah 1, July 10, 2009
written by Hang Tuah 1, July 10, 2009
I agree with Tun Dr Mahathir:
1. The 3rd bridge - that is a bad idea.
2. PPSMI - I support this English policy, and I support Tun's view on this.
3. Umno's partymen involved in corruption should be booted out - Yes, I agree.
I think the issue of reversing PPSMI - will be a discussion for a long time.
And this where Pakatan Rakyat has lossed its traction.
I think DAP has missed it too.
DAP should fight for Science and Maths in English at secondary school levels and all the way to university. But Uncle Lim missed it.
That means there is no difference voting for BN or PR - same education policy.
It is political and communal and in federal constitution to keep mother tongue in primary schools.
1. The 3rd bridge - that is a bad idea.
2. PPSMI - I support this English policy, and I support Tun's view on this.
3. Umno's partymen involved in corruption should be booted out - Yes, I agree.
I think the issue of reversing PPSMI - will be a discussion for a long time.
And this where Pakatan Rakyat has lossed its traction.
I think DAP has missed it too.
DAP should fight for Science and Maths in English at secondary school levels and all the way to university. But Uncle Lim missed it.
That means there is no difference voting for BN or PR - same education policy.
It is political and communal and in federal constitution to keep mother tongue in primary schools.
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written by RandomThoughts, July 10, 2009
written by RandomThoughts, July 10, 2009
I don't really like Najib and I think his first 100 days are not that good... but Pak Lah was worse. I hope Insider can dig back and publish what others said about Tun Mahathir's first 100 days... now that would just great... :)
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written by Pan, July 10, 2009
written by Pan, July 10, 2009
Haiya.. Tun, when you voluntarily stepped down and handed over power, I respected you so much for being magnanimous.
But now, all you do is criticise and complain. [Although I do agree with some of what you say now, not all]
If it was going to be so hard to let go, then perhaps you should have set up a position like 'Minister Mentor' for yourself [oops! sensitive topic]
Anyway, Happy 84th Birthday - it is very auspicious to cover 7 cycles of the lunar calendar.
But now, all you do is criticise and complain. [Although I do agree with some of what you say now, not all]
If it was going to be so hard to let go, then perhaps you should have set up a position like 'Minister Mentor' for yourself [oops! sensitive topic]
Anyway, Happy 84th Birthday - it is very auspicious to cover 7 cycles of the lunar calendar.
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written by wkc, July 10, 2009
written by wkc, July 10, 2009
Do you see ex US President Clinton rating George Bush Jr and Obama "poorly" and pouring scorn and insults on them in public ? No, because he has respect and personality. Before criticising others, look at what you yourself have done to the country ? The legacies you left behind. It is not like you were the greatest statesman this country ever had. And why till now, every decision and person has to be approved by you ? Approval or disapproval of the present Govt will be done by the people, not you. You want respect, first learn to respect others. Remember the word "recalcitrant" ?
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written by part time fisher, July 10, 2009
written by part time fisher, July 10, 2009
Isn't this his very own creation? He really puts himself in the basket and blows his own hot air into the ballon! How high it will fly? To those in the know, it won't be very high.
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written by Habis Lah, July 10, 2009
written by Habis Lah, July 10, 2009
It is well past the time where Tun has to be fair to others. It is well known that Tun is one person who thinks that he knows best in everything that needs be done and any one who does not act according to his wishes, gets poor and often destructive rating from him. Tun, time has changed. Please let others do their jobs, including righting the many wrongs of the past
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written by tan malaka, July 10, 2009
written by tan malaka, July 10, 2009
Najib's is just trying to stay alive. he is carrying to much unnecessary baggage. Rosmah and the bomohs, Attentuya, Ali Rustam etc. Now he is sending the Malays back to no-where-land. Scrapping the use of English Language for Science and Maths is a real tragedy. There are hardly any Malay text books of standing in the subjects. I have yet to find a Malay text book on Quantum Mechanics or any Malay literature on Einstein Theory of Relativity. The Malays do not have to go to school from now onwards just join UMNO to make money or be Tekong Darat or Tekong Laut.
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written by Always Malaysian, July 10, 2009
written by Always Malaysian, July 10, 2009
Is this a proxy political war or what between two former PMs? Or, the current PM trying to fish for the former two PMs' support when it is advantageous to do so or to damage control?
Enough is enough!
Let the current PM do his job. Whether he does a good or bad job, the voters will determine and decide at the next General Election.
Period.
Enough is enough!
Let the current PM do his job. Whether he does a good or bad job, the voters will determine and decide at the next General Election.
Period.
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written by ED, July 10, 2009
written by ED, July 10, 2009
Tun's Pros & Cons:
Pros: Decisive, Dedicated, and Disciplined
Cons: Bigoted Racist, Institutionalized Corruption, Institutionalized Inefficiencies, Institutionalized Nepotism, Squandered Billions of Ringgit on Failed Projects, Arrogant, Fraudster, Unwilling to Recognize and Accept his own failures and Short Comings
Who is this joker to spend so much of his time blasting others when he is yet to come to terms with his own mistakes... it is time Tun goes to sleep so that the rest of us don't have to endure this pathetic nightmare...
Pros: Decisive, Dedicated, and Disciplined
Cons: Bigoted Racist, Institutionalized Corruption, Institutionalized Inefficiencies, Institutionalized Nepotism, Squandered Billions of Ringgit on Failed Projects, Arrogant, Fraudster, Unwilling to Recognize and Accept his own failures and Short Comings
Who is this joker to spend so much of his time blasting others when he is yet to come to terms with his own mistakes... it is time Tun goes to sleep so that the rest of us don't have to endure this pathetic nightmare...
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written by Jamil Abdullah, July 10, 2009
written by Jamil Abdullah, July 10, 2009
Now that he is no more the PM, he can talk and talk, all the while forgetting that he was the longest-serving PM who left most the shit he now talks about...just like that longest-serving IGP who now no more IGP but continues to talk and talk, forgetting the shit he left behind for PDRM.
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written by pat ling, July 10, 2009
written by pat ling, July 10, 2009
Tun didn't realize that there is such a thing as the skill and art of sleeping with one's eyes opened.
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written by Buckaroo Banzai, July 10, 2009
written by Buckaroo Banzai, July 10, 2009
Aiyah... let the man talk la. What is so wrong for a free man to point out his or her opinions? Just because our puny voices and criticism doesn't get tv on-air minutes or pages in the newspaper, no need to feel left out. He was the ex-pm, wherever he goes, the press will ask him the same old question over again. His views won't be on the news if the journalists didn't pester him with those questions in the first place.
Would it be better to just be a hypocrite, put on a fake smile and just say everything is good? - not me, and i'm sure not Tun too...
Would it be better to just be a hypocrite, put on a fake smile and just say everything is good? - not me, and i'm sure not Tun too...
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written by BEAT IT !!!!, July 10, 2009
written by BEAT IT !!!!, July 10, 2009
Nobody's perfect !!!
Dr. M is, or rather was.
If he dislike every PM after him, come back to be one.
Too old ? I know who is perfect after Badawi and Najib.
Your son.
Najib, please sing MJ's song and tell Dr. M to just "BEAT IT !!!"
Dr. M is, or rather was.
If he dislike every PM after him, come back to be one.
Too old ? I know who is perfect after Badawi and Najib.
Your son.
Najib, please sing MJ's song and tell Dr. M to just "BEAT IT !!!"
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written by BusukNajiz, July 10, 2009
written by BusukNajiz, July 10, 2009
After 22 yrs of dictatorship, He think he is the best !!!
Musa Hitam, Kuli, GaafarBaba, Anwar, Badawi & soon Najiz....
The evil old men bring them all up.... fly them high only to ultimately destroy their political & even personal life !!!
For all the evil he had done...
From highway tolls, Tenaga IPP, mega & giga projects, man-made lakes & bridges in Putrajaya, countless bailouts on Perwaja, MAS, Proton.......
The old demon is now back to his rotten UMNO coffin...
Time is ticking & soon it shall be times-up for this old demon to meet his fate...
The Hell is opening its door & waiting for this old demon to finally meet his destiny...
Musa Hitam, Kuli, GaafarBaba, Anwar, Badawi & soon Najiz....
The evil old men bring them all up.... fly them high only to ultimately destroy their political & even personal life !!!
For all the evil he had done...
From highway tolls, Tenaga IPP, mega & giga projects, man-made lakes & bridges in Putrajaya, countless bailouts on Perwaja, MAS, Proton.......
The old demon is now back to his rotten UMNO coffin...
Time is ticking & soon it shall be times-up for this old demon to meet his fate...
The Hell is opening its door & waiting for this old demon to finally meet his destiny...
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written by Disgusted, July 11, 2009
written by Disgusted, July 11, 2009
He forgot one thing..those people are his products! So, dua kali lima, lima kali dua. Fish rots from the head and he was the head before. Do you expect the body still fresh?
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written by Richard, July 11, 2009
written by Richard, July 11, 2009
The ultimate goal, of having to teach math and science in English language, is to make the future generation more relevant in the globalised world. However, national identity is a barrier.
So I believe the solution is not to implement math and science in English language or Malay language. The solution is to have the two different schools of thoughts implemented at the same time and let the parents choose the schools that they want their children to go.
In 20 years time, the people will definitely see which policy is better. The grown up children, who are able to find employment and their skills relevant in the changing economy, determine the success of that education policy.
In the end, the government provides choices and the parents make the choice.
So I believe the solution is not to implement math and science in English language or Malay language. The solution is to have the two different schools of thoughts implemented at the same time and let the parents choose the schools that they want their children to go.
In 20 years time, the people will definitely see which policy is better. The grown up children, who are able to find employment and their skills relevant in the changing economy, determine the success of that education policy.
In the end, the government provides choices and the parents make the choice.
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written by Hang Tuah JB, July 11, 2009
written by Hang Tuah JB, July 11, 2009
Hi! Tun, you may be correct, it depends on WHAT and WHICH rulers to use!
You have done a good job this time.
Thanks for your enlightenment.
You have done a good job this time.
Thanks for your enlightenment.
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written by acesgoplaces, July 11, 2009
written by acesgoplaces, July 11, 2009
TUN...can you reveal all the corrupted BN/UMNO politicians you wanted out of Najib admin? might be around 95% i guess?
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written by Dr. Amrit S. Sekhon, July 11, 2009
written by Dr. Amrit S. Sekhon, July 11, 2009
He might not be asleep physically, though the eyes are wide open.
Mentally he is totally dead, while his cabinet ministers say nothing,
but are only replying to Pakatan Rakyat's well documented policies.
Later, like copycats, they just implement these well groomed policies
under BN's banner.
Mentally he is totally dead, while his cabinet ministers say nothing,
but are only replying to Pakatan Rakyat's well documented policies.
Later, like copycats, they just implement these well groomed policies
under BN's banner.
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