Referring to a speech delivered by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar yesterday, the Umno treasurer said the ruler had given the “worst-ever dressing down to who he referred to as a demented leader”.
“Many believe His Highness meant Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. And this is not the first time Mahathir has been given an earful by His Highness, mind you.
“It would be wise for Mahathir to heed what His Highness said. The fact that His Highness was forced to rebuke Mahathir shows that he has gone beyond the boundary of decency where even His Highness can no longer tolerate it,” Salleh said in a posting on his blog.
Yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim didn’t mention any names but spoke of a leader who wasn’t from Johor but was trying to “be clever” by telling Johoreans, who have been living in peace and harmony for years, what they should do.
“In the past, he said the opposition was the sworn enemy but today he can sit at the same table with them and become close friends. In the past, he said western media liked to fabricate stories but now he says western media reports are based on facts.
“In the past, he criticised Malays for being a race that forgets easily but today he shows that he himself is forgetful. If he is not forgetful, maybe he is a little senile because of his age,” he said when opening a gallery in honour of the heroes of Bukit Kepong during the Emergency.
Mahathir, 91, is known for his “Melayu mudah lupa” (“Malays forget easily”) catchphrase. He had written a book with the same title, published in 2001.
Salleh also said the former prime minister has lost sight of the nation’s interest in his personal grouses.
“Mahathir now appears unable to separate his personal grudge from the interest of the nation. Mahathir is bringing ridicule upon himself and he has only himself to blame for it,” he said.
Previously, Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, had criticised projects by developers from China in Johor, particularly the Forest City project in Iskandar Malaysia.
Mahathir claimed that 700,000 Chinese nationals would move to Johor and change the state’s political landscape.
Johor ruler mocks ‘senile’ leader over ties with former foes