‘Cabinet overruled Dr Mahathir many times in his second tenure as PM’

PETALING JAYA – Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng has refuted Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s claims that DAP was unable to “control” him during the latter’s second stint as prime minister.

The DAP chairman said that Dr Mahathir had been overruled by the cabinet numerous times regarding government decisions.

Lim revealed on Twitter that Dr Mahathir had opposed his proposed reform initiatives at least three times, one of which involved the granting of annual allocations to MPs in the government.

“First, Mahathir objected to the granting of annual MPs allocations of RM3.8 million to government MPs,” he said in a Twitter thread.

“Second, Mahathir objected to the review of government contracts granted by direct award and without open tender.

“Mahathir did not agree to the open tender proposal to promote transparency and public accountability.”

Lim added that Dr Mahathir also objected to the 18% reduction of the PLUS toll highway, which he said was the first step towards the eventual abolition of toll.

Regarding the claims that he had no power over Dr Mahathir, Lim said that informing the prime minister of any proposed reform initiatives is not only required by custom, but is also a sign of respect.

Nonetheless, Lim said he still managed to secure the approval from almost every minister for all three of his initiatives Dr Mahathir opposed.

The Bagan MP disclosed that the overruling had angered Dr Mahathir, threatening to lay him off for “defying” the former prime minister.

“I was prepared to be axed but continued to pursue these reform initiatives that benefited the people,” he said.

“Mahathir did not carry out his threat. Instead, Mahathir resigned on his own accord in February 2020,” he added.

Free Malaysia Today reported Dr Mahathir as saying that DAP could not control him when he was prime minister under the Pakatan Harapan government, as his position gave him more power compared to the party.

As such, he claimed that Lim had to ask him for permission before intending to do anything in the government.

After Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim marked 100 days of him leading the government, Dr Mahathir said the current prime minister only made empty promises, as the economy had not been revived and no issues affecting the Malays were resolved. – The Vibes, March 6, 2023