KUALA LUMPUR – The war of words between Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad continues over the issue of remuneration accorded to former prime ministers.
Mere hours after Dr Mahathir posted on his Facebook explaining a land plot that was leased to him in Langkawi in 2014, Najib uploaded a post of his own, taking a dig at the nonagenarian over what he claims is a “crazy cheap” deal offered to the former.
In his posting, Dr Mahathir said that while he took the lease in Langkawi, he did not get it for free or at a discounted rate.
He said this is unlike the case with Najib, who had requested the government award him with a luxurious property valued around RM100 million, before withdrawing the request.
“I admit I leased a plot of land (from Langkawi Development Authority or Lada). Leased, not requested. And I didn’t get it for free. I also bought two plots of land in Langkawi after retirement.
“Nothing was given to me for free as a gift by the federal or state government. Instead, the lease was increased many times over until I returned the land to Lada,” he said.
Najib responded by saying that the RM3,200 lease per month for the 34-acre land in Langkawi given to Dr Mahathir in 2014 was set up when the latter was Lada adviser and his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, was the Kedah menteri besar and executive councillor in charge of land.
The Pekan MP went on to point out that he only requested for a personal residence in his capacity as a former prime minister under a provision that was passed by Mahathir himself.
“I made the request when I was no longer the prime minister or part of the government, and my children are not chief minister or menteri besar for any state.
“There is no act that says a father can be offered government land with a harga murah giler (crazy cheap price) by his own son’s government like in the case of the Langkawi land.
“My office only asked for a residence in 2018 after the 14th general election. I did not breach any law.”
Najib also said he has since withdrawn his request and urged the government to sell the land, which is valued at RM100 million, and disburse the proceeds to the needy.
“What did I get after serving nine years as prime minister and increasing the country’s savings from RM800 billion to RM2 trillion?
“Even the RM642 million I received from Arab Saudi personally, as has been proven in the court, I have given it fully for people’s programmes. I didn’t use it for personal use. I don’t want anything anymore because you (Mahathir) keep whining,” he said. – The Vibes, November 30, 2021
