Najib believes that ‘cash is king,’ says Dr M

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak believes in the 'cash is king' solution to make people happy in the country. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 11, 2015.Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today launched another salvo at Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying that the prime minister believes in the "cash is king" solution to make people happy in the country.

In his latest blogpost, Dr Mahathir said that Najib's introduction of the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) project was a form of "free money" for the people.

"I hoped Najib would have learnt lessons from the 13th general elections. But no. He continued with giving away money. He kept his British advisers. The fourth floor was expanded," Dr Mahathir wrote.

"The PM's office was filled with people who were given imaginary positions. The salary given was not according to the civil service rate," he added.

He said that he was disappointed and placed in a dilemma when he realised that Najib fared worse in general elections compared to his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom Dr Mahathir was also very critical of.

He also said that the recent by-election results in Rompin and Permatang Pauh were proof that he was right about dwindling support for Najib.

"I was in a tight spot. As a Umno member I wanted BN to win. But victory will keep a Najib leadership in 14th general elections," he said.

"But the results in both by-elections showed that my claims that Najib's support is dwindling is more accurate than the aspiration of his supporters," he added.

BN's majority was slashed by almost half in the Rompin by-election, while it only managed to inflict a slight reduction in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

On another matter, Dr Mahathir also raised concern over prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's lifestyle.

"I have been visited by groups and individuals complaining about Najib's leadership. They are very uneasy with Najib's wife, with her wealthy lifestyle, and her action as though she is the PM," Dr Mahathir wrote.

He said that he had been repeatedly visited by individuals who wanted Najib to end his policies and approach to administration.

"These groups were not only Umno members or Malays, they were Chinese too," Dr Mahathir wrote.

He said that he had tried advising the prime minister constantly on the issues raised, but the latter would not listen to him.

"He was convinced that the people loved him. He believed that the big assemblies with 'I Love PM' placards meant the people adored him," he said.

"He believed that even though Umno and BN were not popular he would make himself a popular idol and an icon for BN and Umno," he added.

He said that he had found out that his withdrawal of support for Najib alone did not have the desired impact.

"I am more confident that BN will lose GE14 if Najib continues to lead," he said.

Dr Mahathir said that he was finally forced to reveal Najib's wrongdoings with the state owned investment arm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), and that he was finally forced to reveal himself as being openly critical of Najib.

"If Umno and BN's leadership needs to be changed, it needs to be done in a period of short recovery before GE14." he said.

- TMI