Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak last night questioned whether Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanted to bring the country along a democratic path or otherwise.

He said the former prime minister, who was previously an autocrat and believed in a strong government to protect the position of the Malays, now conspired with DAP who had been his erstwhile enemy.

“With this paradoxical political attitude, where exactly does Mahathir want to bring Malaysia to? If it is towards a democratic state, wasn't Najib (Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak) democratic enough when he abolished the Internal Security Act 1960 and amended the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971?

“If it is to create a Malaysian race, isn't Najib's administration, which is inclusive, people-centric and appreciating diversity, still incomplete?

“If it is to fight against leakages and the BN's weakness in corporate governance, can't Mahathir recall that the real leakages were actually the RM2.5 billion Bumiputra Malaysia Finance scandal, and the RM30 billion forex scandal that happened during his rule?

"This is the irony of Mahathir's politics, creating his own paradox,” he said in his blog posting last night.

Salleh, who is also Umno treasurer, was commenting on a short video entitled "Pada Sesuatu Ketika" which went viral yesterday.

He also questioned the change in Mahathir's attitude which also received the attention of political observers, who cited three reasons for the change.

"Firstly, Mahathir has a superiority complex, an attitude which cannot accept people better than him. Secondly, he was disappointed with the attitude of Umno's top leadership which did not support his son to win the vice-president post.

“Thirdly, he was not satisfied with several policies of Najib which were seen as trying to destroy his legacy.

“So these are Mahathir’s excuses to oppose Najib and quit Umno, which he headed for 22 years – where does Mahathir want to take Malaysian politics to? 

"It is amazing, this paradox of Mahathir’spolitics,” added Salleh.

-- Bernama