Former minister Rafidah Aziz has expressed disbelief at the disrespect towards former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose invitation to the installation ceremony of the 14th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong has been revoked.
Rafidah questioned if certain quarters were uncomfortable with Mahathir's presence.
She added that leaders who were plagued with scandals are the ones that would cause embarrassment, but did not name anyone.
"The presence of anyone who is embroiled in scandal, corruption, mismanagement and the likes are the ones that bring shame to any kind of ceremonies.
"Is that not the case?" she said in a Facebook posting.
In a letter from the keeper of the ruler’s seal dated Dec 5, Mahathir was informed that his invitation had been withdrawn to avoid "embarrassment", as a seat was not prepared for him.
Rafidah noted Mahathir had received the highest honour of "tun" by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, and therefore had a right to attend the ceremony.
She claimed the retraction showed signs of a vindictive act.
"Why should there be elements of personal vengeance in official matters such as this?
"Even in the past, the opposition leader had a place in official functions of the government," she said.
Embarrassing development
She did not specify who was responsible for stopping Mahathir from attending the function, but said his contributions as prime minister for 22 years should be appreciated.
"It is sickening to watch what is happening.
"It is embarrassing that a once respected country has fallen to mismanagement and is mocked and looked down upon by the world.
"Let us pray that Malaysia will be safe from anyone that will bring us harm," she said.
Mahathir in a blog posting yesterday asked sarcastically if Istana Negara was owned by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and BN.
Once a mentor to Najib, Mahathir has organised a concerted effort to remove the prime minister, accusing him of corruption.
The prime minister and Umno have also abandoned all niceties towards the statesman who had served as prime minister for 22 years, branding him a traitor.
Najib had denied wrongdoing or taking public funds for personal gain, and has accused Mahathir of wanting to make his son Mukhriz the prime minister.- Mkini
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