Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin says he is being seen as an “opposition” personality just because he voiced out several constructive criticisms against the government.

“I am being seen as from the opposition,” he told China Press in an exclusive interview published today.

In his opening remark, Daim told the Chinese daily that he was very reluctant to accept interviews from the press because the government has been “very sensitive” about him of late.

The government has always seen those who voiced out their “honest” opinions as “the opposition”, he said, despite it claiming to look forward to and accepting constructive criticism.

Daim therefore questioned whether the rakyat would be deemed to be anti-government if they asked the leaders in government to visit areas that were hit by the recent massive flood disasters.

“If we are saying that we will openly accept criticism, we must walk the talk, or else we will give away our credibility,” he added.

Daim has come under fire from the government-friendly media recently, particularly on his overseas banking interests, after he started highlighting certain issues on the government raised by opposition political parties.

His action came on the heels of Umno veteran and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s open criticism of Najib’s policies.

However, Daim claimed that he was aware of the person behind the sudden attention on him.

Nevertheless, Daim defended the right of Mahathir to continue to criticise Najib, on grounds that anyone can voice criticisms in this free country and the government should accept that.

“The government should not rebut the critics immediately but should, in the first place, listen to and analyse these criticisms.

“It should accept the good views and come out with alternatives if the views are poor. In such a way, the country will progress,” he said.

Daim also opined that Mahathir would not be stupid to criticise Najib merely because he wanted to support his son Mukhriz Mahathir ( right ) to become prime minister in the future, as speculated.

Asked whether Mukhriz, who is Kedah menteri besar, does have the chance of becoming prime minister, Daim said it could happen, for no one had thought about Mahathir becoming prime minister a decade after Abdul Razak Hussein took office.

Youth in Umno get no opportunities

Daim also lamented that opportunities were not given to the future generation in Umno, causing the party to lack in young leaders, besides Mukhriz and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

He claimed that it was difficult for educated Umno Youth members to hold certain party posts at the divisional level.

“This is because the ‘warlords’ will ensure that these people do not have the opportunity to shine and will obstruct them for climbing up the ladder at the divisional level.

“They are protecting themselves and the party will pay for this,” he said.

As to whether Selangor Umno should change its leadership, Daim, who was a former Umno treasurer, said the party needed to bring in new faces everywhere, not just in Selangor.

However, he said, Umno lacked in such a culture and therefore, the party’s internal rules and processes should be reviewed.

“Umno leaders must not be afraid of reform and must learn the lessons from the last two general elections. If Umno does not change, it will be changed.

“By far, I only heard two people’s representatives who have vowed not stand for the party elections anymore, while the rest of the members of parliament and state assemblypersons have remained silent.

“This is the Umno, a party in which everyone claims that he is winnable and every division chief proclaims himself as doing great,” chided Daim.

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