Dr Mahathir Mohamad is disappointed with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who he said has performed even worse than Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In a stinging blog posting today, the former prime minister said: "I had no choice but to withdraw my support. This too was not effective. So I have to reprimand (Najib)."

Among others, Mahathir criticised Najib for pandering to the wishes of the opposition and neighbouring countries and cited the repeal of the Internal Security Act as an example.

"I am reprimanding because I believe that leaders who are not reprimanded will believe that all they have done is good.

"Only when reprimanded would they realise their mistakes and perhaps rectify them," Mahathir added in what can be considered his most caustic attack against Najib.

He said it was not easy for Malays to criticise their leaders even though they are in the wrong, as they are afraid of openly criticising their leaders.

"However, behind the leader, they would say vulgar things.

"I am not like any other Malays. When the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman made policies which are not beneficial for the Malays, I wrote a letter criticising Tunku," he said in describing his famous letter for which was expelled from Umno.

The former prime minister of 22 years, who just celebrated his 89th birthday last month, admitted that he had been critical of Najib's administration and panned many of the present government's policies.

Najib's ills, according to Mahathir

Mahathir further listed Najib's policies with which he disagreed, starting with the government's stand to repeal the controversial Internal Security Act, and the Restricted Residents law, which he said had not stopped the opposition from political parties.

"In fact, crime has increased with the release of crime lords," he said.

He also attacked Malaysia's willingness to bow down to neighbouring countries, to the extent that the country's internal matters are affected by views of the the foreign countries.

Mahathir said the government's funds were being used to buy votes, especially during general elections, and this resulted in the people depending on the government.

"This resulted in the willingness of the people to work being reduced as they are rewarded for not doing anything. This does not help in the development of the country," he lashed out, obviously referring to the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) handout.

He further questioned Najib's economic policy where consumers are bearing the brunt and there is no control of imports to the detriment of local industries.

Mahathir further questioned Najib's actions of giving workers more than a week's leave and imposing minimum wage without taking into consideration the costs that it has on business and industries, which now failed to compete with imported products.

He said many of the government's policies under Najib were destroying relations between the races and this was affecting the country's economy and finances.

"All this is a result of the government supporters not wanting to criticise its leaders," he said.

'Never expected Najib to be worse than Pak Lah'

Mahathir in his two-and-a-half page posting said Najib was being seen as ineffective, compared with his predecessor Abdullah.

"I never envisaged that his (Najib's) achievement in the 13th general election would be worse than Abdullah's.

"My hope is that Najib takes a lesson from his poor performance in the 13th general election.

"However, it seems there is no change to Najib's policy or approach, although I have expressed my opinion (which are also the views of the people who have met him)," he said.

Mahathir ended his scathing comment by saying if no one was willing to criticise Najib, he was willing to do so - and prepared to face the consequences.

"I have been isolated for criticising Abdullah and was slandered by many. If I criticise and they abuse me I will accept it. It is not that I do not love the leader but I love my race and country more," he said.

Mahathir had timed the blog posting, just as Najib had returned from his two-week overseas leave today.

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