Smiling Najib holds tongue on Dr M, again

 

 Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak chose the path of silence again when asked by reporters to respond to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's scathing criticism against him.

Asked on Mahathir’s claim that he is "worse" than fifth prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the PM just smiled and walked away.

This is the second time he has refused to comment on Mahathir’s attack.

The day before, he told reporters that he will respond at the next available time, fulfilling Mahathir’s criticism that Najib (left) too often chooses to keep quiet and is "soft" on critical issues.

Issues Mahathir said Najib was "soft" on included the numerous kidnappings in Sabah.

Najib was met at the 68th anniversary celebration of the Association of Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCCIM) at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

In his speech, ACCCIM president Lim Kok Cheong urged the government to consider a one-year grace period for the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) and for the tax to remain at 6 percent for up to five years.

Followed dad's footsteps

However, Lim too, was brushed off by Najib on the topic of the GST.

In his speech the prime minister only said that the government is "fortunate" to have had received ACCCIM's feedback and will continue to work with the chambers.

"And in return, we have welcomed, studied and considered seriously the recommendations you make," he said.

Najib mostly spoke of his father, second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein's move to build diplomatic ties with China and how he followed Abdul Razak’s footsteps to Beijing recently to celebrate 40 years of diplomacy.

Najib, who is also finance minister, lauded the private sector for its contributions to the economy, which he said led to the 6.5 percent gross domestic product growth in the first half of 2014.

This, he said, showed that Malaysia is on the right track.

Despite Mahathir's open attack, Umno leaders including vice presidents Hishammuddin Hussein and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor and Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil have stood firm in their support for their boss.