Published March 31, 2009

Mahathir expects 'firm' leadership under Najib

He thinks Najib will be more assertive than Abdullah

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(KUALA LUMPUR) The rise to power of Malaysia's next leader Najib Razak has been overshadowed by allegations he will crack down on dissent, reverting to the hardline tactics of former premier Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir: 'It doesn't speak well of a leader who allows himself to be so overawed by his superior.'

Recent moves including the use of tear gas to break up a rally by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, and the banning of the opposition's two main newspapers, have triggered talk of a return to 'Mahathirism'.

But Dr Mahathir himself, a feisty 84-year-old who remains a colossus of Malaysian politics six years after retirement, is unconcerned about his name being used as a byword for repression.

And he said in an interview with AFP that he expects Mr Najib to be a much more assertive leader than Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who resigns on Thursday after a lacklustre term in which he allowed a little more democratic space, but failed to implement promised reforms including combating corruption.

'If he feels he has enough strength, I think he will be more firm. Not necessarily oppressive but firm in his decision and his acts,' Mr Mahathir said of 55-year-old Najib who spent the past six years as deputy premier.

'Of course people are wanting to call this Mahathirism. I'm quite aware of that but I don't care whether people call me a dictator or not. In any case I'm the first dictator who resigned of his own accord,' he said.

The Barisan Nasional coalition, which has governed Malaysia for half a century, paints itself as a bulwark against racial bloodshed in a country where majority Muslim Malays live alongside ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.

Dr Mahathir justified controversial acts during his term in power, including mass detentions of political opponents and rights activists under internal security laws, as being aimed at preserving peace.

'This country needs a firm hand because we have the potential for racial pressures, and it has not happened in this country because the government was strong and knows how far people should play around with sensitive issues.'

After deciding to step down, ending more than two decades in power, Dr Mahathir hand-picked his successor but became enraged when Mr Abdullah began dismantling mega- projects close to his heart.

After disastrous elections a year ago, the veteran leader stepped up his attacks, slating Mr Abdullah as weak and accusing him of nepotism and corruption, helping force him into an early retirement.

Dr Mahathir ridiculed suggestions that Mr Abdullah has allowed Malaysians a measure more freedom, by giving the government- linked mainstream press more room to operate and tolerating a little more dissent.

'What has happened is that Abdullah has got no power to administer this country. His tendency is to bow to the opposition. He doesn't want to be all this 'free' and all that, but he feels he doesn't have enough support to be strong,' he said.

Dr Mahathir also had sharp words for Mr Najib, who was once his protege but disappointed the grand old man of Malaysian politics when he refused to oppose Mr Abdullah's policies or campaign openly for him to quit.

'Unfortunately as a second man (deputy) he hasn't performed very well. His tendency is just to follow blindly his leader,' he said.

'It doesn't speak well of a leader who allows himself to be so overawed by his superior.' - AFP