IPOH, June 20 — Petronas advisor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he had heard that another person would be appointed chairman of the national oil corporation, to take over from Tan Sri Hassan Merican but he did not know how far this was true.
The former prime minister said he was only an advisor without executive powers and, as Petronas came under the jurisdiction of the prime minister, appointments to any post in the corporation would depend on the decision of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“Perhaps, this other person is more efficient than Hassan Merican. Perhaps, he can bring in more profits. How do we know?” he said when asked whether it would be the right move to replace Hassan as the chairman. Hassan is also the Petronas president and CEO.
There has been talk over the last several months that Omar Mustapha Ong, the special officer to Najib when he was the deputy prime minister, would be appointed a director of Petronas while former home minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar would be appointed chairman.
Asked whether he was satisfied with Najib’s leadership, Dr Mahathir said: “I did not say that I am satisfied; I did not say that I am not satisfied. I commented on the election of people involved in corruption to the party leadership. That is what I am not agreeable with,” he said.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on an article in his blog, www.chedet.cc, where he had likened Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew to a little emperor, Dr Mahathir said Lee was an arrogant leader who tried to teach the leaders of neighbouring countries.
“He gives priority to his country and tells us that we are the hinterland. Even from before, I have not been that compatible with him,” he said.
On Lee’s recent eight-day visit to Malaysia, Dr Mahathir said he would not know whether former leaders of Malaysia would be accorded similar treatment in the republic as was given to Lee during the trip to Malaysia.
Earlier, in his speech at the function, Dr Mahathir said the future of the Malays would be bleak if Umno leaders continued to place their own interests above that of race, religion and country.
“Umno no longer champions the interests of the Malays but has become a platform for people to seek status and titles. That was why the Malays did not vote for Umno in the 12th general election because they were disappointed with such a situation,” he said. — Bernama
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