Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has vehemently defended his son and son-in-law against allegations that the duo have derived political and business benefits from his position as prime minister.

Abdullah, who is also finance minister, said in an interview aired over private television station TV3 tonight that his son, Kamaluddin, had never abused his position as the premier's son to gain advantage in his business dealings.

He also said his son had never sought help from him and pointed out that Kamaluddin ran his gas and oil company, Scomi Group Bhd, on his own.

Abdullah added that more than 80 percent of the company's businesses were conducted abroad because his son felt that it was difficult to do so in the country due to his father's position.

"Kamaluddin has never been involved with any local companies or any concessions. None. He has never asked for any help from the government. Never in anything that needed a bail out," said Abdullah in a 40-minute taped interview with national news agency Bernama chairperson Mohd Annuar Zaini.

The premier also stressed that although Kamaluddin had successfully bid for a project from state-owned oil company Petronas, what his son had obtained was "very little" when compared with other foreign companies.

Abdullah revealed that Kamaluddin had recently took over a Singaporean company which owned 188 ships and the investment was to allow Kamaluddin's company to transport coal.

When asked whether Kamaluddin had any involvement in the recently-approved Penang monorail project, Abdullah rebutted: "Who said it?"

Over the past few years, Kamaluddin has become one of the top business tycoons in the country with a personal wealth estimated at RM330 million.

Not power behind throne

Meanwhile, Abdullah once again brushed away claims that his famous son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin - who is married to his daughter, Nori - was the power behind the throne.

"What Khairy? It cannot be that after years of suffering in politics and it being so difficult to become a prime minister, I then hand over my power to him. How can that be?" he said.

Abdullah said Khairy, who had worked for him as one of his advisers, was at that time responsible in providing his opinions on matters involving the government.

"(However), whether to accept it or not it's my decision. Subsequently, Khairy decided not to work for me anymore and he purchased some shares in a company and become a shareholder.

"He applied for loans to buy some small amount of shares in ECM-Libra," the premier said in reference to the 31-year-old Khairy's RM9.2 million stake in the boutique investment advisory group.

He said when Khairy joined Umno Youth, the wing's chief Hishamuddin Hussein had asked him (Abdullah) - as Umno president - not to 'intervene' in the movement's internal politics.

Khairy won the wing's No 2 post uncontested in the party's election in September 2004. Abdullah stressed Khairy had proven his capability in the Youth wing.

When asked how he differentiated the relationship between him and Khairy as father-in-law and son-in-law and as party leader, finance minister and businessman, Abdullah said this depended in what capacity Khairy met him.

He said though sometimes Khairy met him as an Umno Youth leader, he never made demands from him in a "threatening way". When there are matters concerning business, Khairy had never asked him to approve certain projects.

"Because he knew I will never approve (the projects)," said the premier.

However, the approved merger of ECM Libra with Avenue Capital Resources Berhad, a Finance Ministry-linked company, has raised many eyebrows.

Abdullah said he would not rule out the possibility that his son-in-law was being 'used' by certain individuals who thought Khairy could help them.

Abdullah also spoke on the following:

His spat with ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad:

"I chose to keep silence because I do not want to quarrel with Tun (Mahathir) in the newspapers. Tun himself had said in a statement that he felt hurt because he did not get the information he wanted. He hoped to be informed - 'if the PM does not speak, then let the ministers speak.'"

According to Abdullah, many people supported his decision to keep silence to avoid deterioration in his relationship with Mahathir.

"Many people feel it's better that I don't talk. Many people told me not to talk, (it will) cause confusion. Don't. Allowing the ministers to answer is enough."

Corruption in his government:

Abdullah said the accusation of corruption in his government has given the impression that he was trying to deceive the rakyat.

"This is slander. If it is true, write letters to us. Let's be courageous if it's true. Say it out and we will take action. I want them to show evidence how this was done, the details, where the source of the evidence."

He was also asked about the allegation that the RM15 billion projects announced recently under the Ninth Malaysia Plan would not be openly tendered as the contractors had already been chosen.

Abdullah asked those who made such claims to lodge reports to the police, Anti-Corruption Agency or other relevant agencies.

"I want them to explain why they say such a thing because this is a lie. (The detractors) want to insult the government, insult me. How can it be like that?" he asked, adding these individuals were trying to undermine his leadership.

His dilly-dallying on making major decisions:

"Sometimes we have to be careful. One thing I've learned since I became prime minister is that whatever I do, whether good or bad, will affect the people.

"If it's bad, the consequence is bad. If it's good, alhamdulillah (praise to God). I am worried if it goes wrong, many people will suffer."

For being too 'soft':

"If what I am doing is right and fair, then there is firmness in my decision. No need to be 'gung-ho'. I had made certain decisions which were very difficult for me, but I took it in my stride. No need to show it - that is my style," he said.

"People say that I'm the type who has just gone into the football pitch for no more than 10 minutes and already I'm being criticised ... So how? It's better to wait till we're warmed up and are able to pick up the tempo."