Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi still harbours hope that Datuk Seri Najib Razak will perform better than he did as prime minister, Mingguan Malaysia reported today.
The retired statesman, in an interview with the paper today, said he bears no ill-will towards his successor, who is now under pressure from former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to step down.
"I hope he works and does better than I did. That is what I hope. I will be happy if he succeeds in doing more than I did," Abdullah was quoted as saying.
"I am neither jealous nor do I have any ill feelings. I just want him to do a good job. I don't want him to think about me because I want him to do a proper job," he replied when asked why he had never urged Najib to step down, given that he had faced similar pressures during his time.
Abdullah said he decided to resign and choose Najib as his successor because he hoped the latter would make a good leader.
In defending Najib, Abdullah said that while many criticised the sixth prime minister for leading Barisan Nasional (BN) to its worst electoral showing in 2013, the coalition still managed to gain victory.
But he also warned Umno leaders not to ignore the discontent brewing in the party following the Cabinet reshuffle, which saw deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal sacked from the government.
"If the leaders ignore this, it could mean the end of Umno within a week. The party leaders must be strong and should not depend on others," said Abdullah.
He said party members were counting on their leaders to step up during this time of uncertainty.
"I really love Umno. If Umno is lost, I don't know what will happen after this.
"I hope Najib can improve the situation and take care of the party as best as possible. May he succeed in controlling the situation."
On August 7, Najib praised Abdullah for learning to "let go" after his retirement, in an apparent jibe against Dr Mahathir.
Abdullah, who succeeded Dr Mahathir in 2003, was also subject to intense criticism by Dr Mahathir, which led to his resignation and Najib taking over as prime minister in 2009.
- TMI
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