KUALA NERANG: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's bribery label on 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme recently was nothing more than an attempt to stir up tirade against Barisan Nasional, said Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
Mahdzir, who is also Education Minister said the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman should have come up with better issue or agenda that can benefit the people, instead of inciting hatred against the government's effort to ease the people's burden.
"It was merely a political polemic. Previously, Tun Dr Mahathir had criticised BR1M by labeling it as a form of bribery.
"However, when it proved to be popular among the rakyat, he suddenly changed his mind and said that the opposition will continue with BR1M if the Opposition wins the next general election," Mahdzir said during a visit at Kampung Tanjung Siam here today.
Political leaders since yesterday have roundly slammed Dr Mahathir for making a U-turn on his stand against BR1M.
Many said that his latest move showed the former prime minister was inconsistent and that he was acknowledging the benefit of the financial aid.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan reportedly said Dr Mahathir's U-turn showed that the latter acknowledged BR1M's efficacy and popularity.
He said Dr Mahathir knew cash transfers such as BR1M were popular and effective, which caused him to change his mind.
MIC treasurer-general Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari said Dr Mahathir and the opposition must make their stand on BR1M clear.
Last month, Dr, Mahathir issued a statement saying the government was using BR1M as a form of political bribery to win elections.
During the PPBM launch recently, he said the opposition pact might continue rendering the financial assistance to the people should it win the 14th General Election.