PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has refuted Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s allegations that he was, among others, a thief and had amassed contracts.
“I want to ask what have I stolen when in fact I have used a lot of my assets to help the rakyat?” Tengku Adnan asked, in a two-page statement to rebut Dr Mahathir’s allegations made during a ceramah here on Thursday’s night.
“And, what contracts that I were accused of getting when I have been declared as one of the richest people in Malaysia in 1992. At that time, I was a businessman who later actively involved in politics,” he said.
Tengku Adnan, who is also BN candidate for the Putrajaya parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election, said although his assets had shrunk each year, he had no regret about helping the people, especially those in Putrajaya.
“I am happy to help the rakyat with the money I have. I join politics not to be richer as what you (Dr Mahathir) have accused me of,” he said.
Tengku Adnan also questioned Dr Mahathir’s loyalty.
“Have Tun forgotten how I have come to your defence during the reformasi attacks. I have sided with you when it (the conflict) was between you and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and it was Anwar who had contributed a lot to my businesses,” he said.
On an allegation that he had “run crying to Dr Mahathir” when he was not appointed as a minister under Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Tengku Adnan set the record straight by saying that he was dropped as a minister under former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi and was given a ministerial post again under Najib.
The BN secretary-general said he was aware of Dr Mahathir’s ceramah on Thursday’s night.
“I have asked the Putrajaya people, especially the youths to respect and not create any chaos at your event.
“We know many people from outside Putrajaya had flooded your ceramah session, but please do not make any slanderous remarks. Tun, please do not play with political games by lying and trying to confuse the people here when they have become part of my family.
“I know that the crowd in your ceramah last night was not from here, but they were just part of your strategy to confuse the people,” said Tengku Adnan.
He challenged Dr Mahathir to fight fairly, basing on the truth.
“If you are convinced that you can win, what was the point of you to issue an open letter to the public especially to Umno members by urging them to support you, when you yourselves have betrayed Umno.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you make an open letter to PKR members and apologise to them instead for triggering the reformasi because of your decision?”
Tengku Adnan also urged Dr Mahathir to atone.
“You have used me as your propaganda tool,but what you are doing is just exposing your own flaws. Enough is enough Tun, don’t forget easily, don’t use the people, don’t destroy your own race, don’t ruinthe country,” he said.