“This call, therefore, fails to bear any credence on that score,” Kempas assemblyman Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Tengku Hamid Jumat wrote in a column published by the New Straits Times today.

He was commenting on the signing of the Citizens’ Declaration, an initiative spearheaded by the former premier demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak and other institutional reforms.

While Tengku Putra Haron did not identify the Lord President in question, it is believed he was alluding to the sacking of Tun Salleh Abas in 1988 as the Lord President during the judicial crisis.

The sacking came in the midst of an Umno crisis which had resulted in the party being deregistered following the Umno elections in 1987 when Mahathir narrowly defeated Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Mahathir, however, denied removing Salleh out of revenge, clarifying it was due to Salleh’s complaining to other rulers about noisy repairs at the King’s private house.

Tengku Putra Haron went on to claim that the independence of the judiciary, executive and legislative was best protected under Najib.
He went on to state that Mahathir’s third exit from Umno last week failed to draw the same amount of shock and emotion.

“At best, he will sadly be remembered as the fourth past president of Umno who ended his journey in life outside of the party that he had once served with flying colours.”

Meanwhile, Mstar Online reported Kelantan Umno liaison chief Mustapa Mohamed as stating that Mahathir’s decision to work with the Opposition to remove Najib meant he has lost his status as a statesman.

The international trade and industry minister said Mahathir’s actions could lead to instability and would tarnish the nation’s image.