PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says that the legal action mounted against the country’s former leaders for abuse of power and corruption was not motivated by a desire for revenge, but out of respect for the law.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairman however, noted that it was unfortunate that the people have grown “bored” and are no longer paying attention to the misdeeds committed by the previous administration.
“They only want to see the effects of the economic recovery. And now, these former leaders have become vocal in wanting to teach us how to handle problems; problems they created. If they are so clever, then why did they not fix these problems during their time,” he said during his policy speech at Bersatu’s second annual general assembly, held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here Saturday.
"The Attorney-General has started the ball rolling by prosecuting the previous leaders for abuse of power and corruption. However, all this legal process will take time. As such, it is extremely disappointing when some of us have rejected the blatant offences committed by the previous leaders.
“If these offences are not processed in accordance with the law, we would be accused of lashing out and of taking revenge.
"To be seen as a government that rules in accordance to the laws, we must accept the delay in its process," he said.
Dr Mahathir, alluding to Umno, said the leaders from the previous government are now trying to portray themselves as championing the Malay cause.
“What is certain is that the attempt by these leaders to now become the Malays’ champions, such as by taking part in the recent demonstration (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination rally on Dec 8), is insincere,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said he was confident that the people would not be easily duped.
“If they (former leaders) were sincere, we would not be having these problems.
"What is happening right now is that a party that the people once held in high regard for its struggle against Malayan Union and in securing Independence, has been rejected by the people, especially the Malays, for its involvement in bribery, theft and kleptocratic practices.
“And today, they lie destroyed because of their own actions.”