I wasn't asleep when I criticized Dr M:Pak Lah clarifies book amid UNPRECEDENTED Umno heat

KUALA LUMPUR - In a bid to quell speculation about his motives in criticizing predecessor Mahathir Mohamad in a soon-to-be-launched book, Malaysia's former prime minister Abdullah Badawi said he did it so because he wanted Umno to reform and become a more open party.

The book titled Awakening: The Abdullah Badawi Years has stirred all sorts of reactions and speculation especially in his Umno party. Many party members especially his rivals fear it could influence the outcome of their party election for a new central leadership.

In particular, supporters of Mahathir have launched an all-out vicious counter attack against Abdullah as well as begun a whispering campaign against him as part of their 'defense' of the still powerful Mahathir.

Some even accused Abdullah of shifting allegiance to the Opposition because MP for Lembah Pantai Nurul Izzah had been invited by the book's editors to officiate at the Singapore launch.

Many also believed the book was Abdullah's way of signalling that he would throw his support behind Prime Minister Najib Razak, who may face a serious challenge to his presidency at Umno's upcoming party election by factions controlled by Mahathir.

Hence the unprecedented assault against Abdullah to the extent that he has now been forced to issue a statement on the matter.

But it is telling that Abdullah, while mentioning the Opposition in the statement, sidestepped the very pregnant and unanswered questions on his perceived support for Najib.

"Do not make assumptions that the book was written by Pak Lah who has supposedly conspired with the opposition against his own party. That is a distortion of facts and slander,” Abdullah said in the statement released on Monday.

"Whatever criticism I made in my interview was because I want to see Umno continue receiving the rakyat's mandate and trust."

Wide awake when he made the comments

Abdullah acknowledged knowing that the book would contain articles that are unflattering of his administration.

Abdullah, often accused of being 'sleepy', admitted he was fully conscious that his comments were critical of Mahathir. He also said he had agreed to the interview with the book's editors - Bridget Welsh and James Chin - willingly.

"Like it or not, agree or not, I hold to the principle of openness that is the pivot of a mature democracy. It is this principle of openness that I practised when I was approached by the writers for an interview," said the 74-year-old who is also known by his nickname of Pak Lah.

"It is the norm for academicians to analyse our country's political history and certainly my era does not escape academic research. I agreed to the interview so that my voice, opinion and explanation can be part of the book."

'I won't leave Umno' but silent on support for Najib

Rather dramatically, the former Umno president also said he would never abandon Umno. However, few had seriously thought he would be jumping ship.

"I have never left Umno, and god willing, when the time comes and I breathe my last breath, I will remain a member of Umno that loves this country," he said.

Abdullah also said he would not attend the launching of the book, which has already been postponed due to the controversy over Nurul's invite.

The former prime minister, who led Malaysia from 2003 to 2009, also asked to be judged by his "answers".

"I merely answered questions that were asked. Let my answers be the focus of readers," he said.

It is telling that the controversy stirred up by the book has been so strong that Najib has since postponed the party poll to October 19 from October 5.

Critics say the paranoia over the book shows how keen the competition was going to get and Umno members as well as Malaysians should brace for a 'mother-of-all-battles' that may split the party down the line once again.

Malaysia Chronicle