Dr Mahathir Mohamad has criticised Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan as someone who does not know anything about finance.

Ahmad had responded to Mahathir's concern about the goods and services tax (GST), saying that perhaps the former premier does not understand the matter.

Mahathir had previously lamented that civil servants do not understand GST themselves.

As for the deputy finance minister, he said: "I do not know what he is talking about."

"He looks after finance, but he does not know anything about finance," added the former premier, who also held the finance minister portfolio.

Mahathir had previously voiced his objection to the implementation of the GST, which was imposed on April 1.

It is reported that the Customs and Excise Department has collected RM42 million in GST every day since its implementation.

Asked whether he will participate in the proposed mega May 1 rally this Friday against the GST, the former premier replied that he would not protest.

“I feel and I found that the people who wanted to implement it do not understand. I feel there is no proper study to its implementation. I have to pay the GST also,” he said.

No Najib posters?

Asked to comment on reports that no posters of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak have been put up for the by-elections in Permatang Pauh and Rompin, Mahathir said he does not know about this.

However, he felt Umno has a good chance in wresting Permatang Pauh.

“I am an Umno member, I see there is an opportunity in Permatang Pauh because the opposition is split. It is not because of Umno is strong but the opposition are fighting or quarreling among themselves.

“I also see a good chance of BN winning in Rompin as PAS is weak.

On being asked that such financial assistance like Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) was also given by the West, Mahathir said he does not agree as it is a form of corruption in giving it close to elections.

“What we should do is create more jobs more opportunities for people to raise their income. I did not give BR1M but we won big. Now he (Najib) gives BR1M, his votes (in parliament) have declined,” he said.