During the exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz was subjected to a rapid-fire session where he stated the first thing that came to mind when a name, place or object was mentioned.
And when former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's name cropped up, the Umno leader, without the slightest hesitation, responded: “Ex-sifu (master).”
Though Nazri has been one of Mahathir's fiercest critics since the former premier started attacking Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, the minister said he does not derive pleasure from doing so.
However, the differences in political opinions have not affected his respect for the former premier, whom Nazri (photo) revealed he had admired from “behind a pillar” as a law student in England when Mahathir was speaking at an event there.
“When I attack him (Mahathir), do you think it comes from here or here?” he gestured to both his head and heart.
“It hurts bad…but he is attacking my boss now,” he added in response to a question.
The Umno supreme council member also made it clear that he does not harbour personal grudges against Mahathir.
“If I'm attacking him (Mahathir) today, it's not because I dislike him. We have to be professional. He is attacking us, so we can't just sit down and not respond.
“For me, it's do or die if I don’t defend the prime minister. Dr Mahathir is a big name and it is not easy to 'whack' him…You have to shut your eyes and bang,” he added.
The Padang Rengas MP, who labelled himself as a “commando” acting for Najib, described the prime minister as a close friend as well.
Therefore, he said Mahathir should expect a “double dose” of retaliation from him whenever the former premier launches a salvo against Najib.
Mahathir taught me to be 'kurang ajar'
Turning back the clock, Nazri said he was elated when appointed as a minister in Mahathir's administration, which was something he never imagined as a student.
“I never had that kind of feeling anymore. The joy of being appointed a minister during his time.
“So he has always been my mentor… He (Mahathir) taught me to defend the (Umno) president. But now he is no longer the president,” he noted.
As for the lessons gleaned from the master, Nazri said this included his "kurang ajar" (rude) approach in politics.
“Mahathir taught me to be like this. I can't change now. He said during those days that Malays must learn to be kurangajar…
“So I followed him…He was my sifu,” added the minister, citing Mahathir's infamous open letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman as an example. -Mkini
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