Resolve issues internally to avoid BN’s 2008 loss, Umno minister tells Dr M

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan says he agrees with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that a public debate with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not benefit Barisan Nasional or Umno. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, June 11, 2015.

An Umno minister tonight told Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to resolve differences with Datuk Seri Najib Razak within the party as his public attacks was similar to his actions which led Barisan Nasional's (BN) poor performance in the 2008 polls.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said he supported Najib's contention that a public debate was not only inappropriate but would not benefit BN or Umno in any way.

"Let's not repeat the bitter experience of 2008 when open attack by Dr Mahathir on Pak Lah led to the worse performance of BN in that general election," Rahman said, referring to Dr Mahathir's attacks on his successor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi which led to BN losing its parliamentary super-majority in the 2008 polls.

Dr Mahathir had supported Najib to take over from Abdullah but their relationship has soured over the RM42 billion debt woes of government strategic developer company 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

"Any differences between the party members or top leadership within Umno must be resolved in true family spirit without resorting to public hurls and insinuation which would only lead to slanderous allegation and accusation," said Rahman, who is also an Umno supreme council member.

Rahman's comments came a week after Najib did not turn up for the Nothing To Hide forum at the Umno headquarters in capital city Kuala Lumpur that was organised by a pro-Umno group to explain the 1MDB issue.

Dr Mahathir had attended the event which was limited to several groups but police ordered the event to be called off while Najib's aides explained his absence was due to security concerns.

"I stand in support of the Prime Minister’s contention because I believe should the debate were to occur, it would turn into ‘I said, you said’ situation. This debate would not augur well with both leaders of the their stature – any progress thereof would not only hurt both of them but the party in general," said Rahman.

He also said Dr Mahathir could have asked for the information instead of using the media to get details of 1MDB's debts and obligations. Dr Mahathir had posted a series of questions on his blog and asked the same questions at several public events across the country.

"If Dr Mahathir desires to know in depth on matters concerning 1MDB, he could have just asked properly without being confrontational and using the media to insinuate or worse throwing accusations based on half-baked truths and unfounded allegations made by politically interested third parties.

"I am sure 1MDB or any party related thereto would answer his questions in due time," said the first-term minister from Sabah.

The 1MDB management have used a series of media statements to respond to questions from Dr Mahathir and opposition politicians but its top managers have delayed an appearance before the bi-partisan Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in parliament until August.

"By the way, much of what Dr Mahathir is asking will eventually be asked during PAC and Auditor-General's investigation. The real facts will eventually emerge from the hearings and proceedings," Rahman added.

The auditor-general and the National Audit Department are carrying out a probe into 1MDB's accounts while the PAC have started their hearings into 1MDB to determine the reasons behind the company's massive debt obligations.

1MDB is owned by the Finance Ministry and was incorporated in 2009 with a capital of RM1 million. It has raised RM42 billion from local and foreign financial institutions to buy power and water treatment plants and land in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

- TMI