Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said an independent body should be formed to investigate Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's alleged involvement in the United Nations Oil for Food Programme scandal.

In what appeared to be one of his harshest attacks against his handpicked successor, Mahathir argued that government officials should not be involved in any commercial transactions.

Responding to a question on the scandal at a press conference in Kedah yesterday, the former premier said he was only aware of the matter after stepping down in 2003.

"When I was PM, I was not aware (of this) ... only after I stepped down was the (UN) report made (public). What is important is not whether he (Abdullah) is a beneficiary or not but as a deputy prime minister - or anyone who holds a (government) position - he should not be involved in any commercial transactions.

"It looks like he was involved. How far he was involved, I don't know ... but I think there should be an investigation by an independent body, not by those under him," he said.

Mahathir added that Indian cabinet minister Natwar Singh had resigned when his name also appeared on the report.

Although two of Abdullah's relatives were implicated in the scandal, the premier was however later cleared of any involvement by the UN.

His relatives were identified as Faek Ahmad Shareef, an Iraqi immigrant who was married to Abdullah's sister-in-law but later divorced, and Noorasiah Mahmood, the sister of Abdullah's late wife Endon Mahmood.

It was reported that the duo, through a Malaysian trading company called Mastek, were allegedly the biggest bribe-giver to the illicit oil-for-food deal involving deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Below is an abstract of the press conference, which were published by online website Agendadaily .

Question: (In reference to Mahathir's decision to attend the Umno general assembly) Are you planning to speak at the assembly if given the chance?

Mahathir: Yes, if I am allowed to speak, I will speak ... if I am permitted.

Have you signed the forms to be a delegate (for Umno Kubang Pasu division)?

Signed already ... signed it early.

So there's no turning back?

No turning back. I am an ordinary member of Umno - the first member of Umno (Baru formed following the 1987 crisis). Now, I cannot even talk in Umno.

Wouldn't your presence lead to a tense situation at the meet?

There shouldn't be any tension. I know that when we have a general assembly, everyone stands up to say 'we support, we support' - not like the Umno during my time. I myself got hammered (at the meets) ... so in Umno, there is freedom of speech but if we have an Umno where everybody says 'we support', 'we agree', 'we are yes ministers', it no longer looks like Umno. Umno has become something else.

As a former prime minister, are you going to sit behind (the hall) with the rest of the delegates?

When I was president, I also sat behind to see how it felt. If they don't let me sit in front, I'll sit behind.

Some consider the current situation stems from your 22 years in power...

What I did ... my era ...everyone could talk. Tunku Abdul Rahman could talk, no restrictions. When Tengku Razaleigh (Hamzah) went against me, Abdullah went against me, Musa (Hitam) went against me, there were no restrictions. Now there is completely no freedom and this is what I find strange. Not only the ordinary members cannot talk but even the former president cannot talk either.

(During my era) Tunku Abdul Rahman could talk. Tenglu Razaleigh campaigned throughout Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi campaigned throughout the country saying I was communist and all, I did not use my powers to stop him.

So you never blacklisted your critics?

No. In fact, I accepted them back into the cabinet. Rais Yatim burnt all the bridges but came back as a minister. Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, Syed Hamid Albar and even Pak Lah himself - he went against me. I am not a person who blacklists. If you fight for Umno, you have the right (to remain in Umno).

F or 22 years, you never used the words 'I'm prime minister' (which Abdullah mentioned in a recent speech). What is your view on this?

I felt that even being made prime minister, I am actually a servant to the people. So we cannot show so much that as prime minister I can do whatever. That's why I said (in his speech earlier), don't chant 'Hidup Mahathir' ... (chant) Hidup Umno ... Hidup Melayu . What's important are Umno and the Malays, not me ... I am not important.

I'm only expressing the views of those who have told me of their dissatisfaction but live in fear. If they are contractors, they would lose their contracts, if they are government employees then action will be taken against them - all sorts of fears.

There are menteri besar who have been instructed (to do things), but when asked they say 'no, no'... I know this is happening, (they have been) instructed by Khairy (Jamaluddin, the premier's son-in-law).

The prime minister has ordered the ministers to answer the issues you have raised. They feel that they have answered. What about you?

I asked a simple question - did you offer sand to Singapore, yes or no? No answer. Instead, they tell me to answer. How am I to answer? The documents are with him. If I release the documents, I will get arrested under the OSA (Official Secrets Act).

But Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said that you can submit the evidence behind closed doors?

(If) closed, I don't want ... let it be open. If it's closed, he will not tell people. I want to bring it out. Give me a declaration that whatever documents I have, I can expose them without any OSA action being taken against me. Give me a written declaration, I will provide the proof.

If given that assurance, you will expose the evidence?

I will look (for it)...

People want to know if the evidence is already in your hands?

Why should people want to know? If they know, they will start investigating, search my room (for it)... No need. I know that technique - ransack, ransack.

There are those who say your actions are aimed at weakening Pak Lah's position as prime minister and eventually topple him.

If he is only doing the right things, (he) won't fall. If he does wrong, he will fall.

During your speech, you claimed that two weeks after you stepped down, those who came to see you were blacklisted. Do you have proof of this?

I was told (they) would be blacklisted.

Maybe this is just hearsay?

This is why it is difficult when people ask me for proof that I cannot give. I am asking for the proof that he (Abdullah) can give.

But in today's world, everything requires proof?

I know he has the proof but he is not showing (it). I cannot bring out the (classified) documents or I will get arrested. Secret things he can declassify but he is not doing it. He declassified my letter (to former Singapore premiers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chock Tong). My letter was already published by Singapore, so why?

(Returning to Umno) You have signed up to contest to be a delegate. What do you plan to do at the Umno general assembly?

I'll go and sit behind. If there is an opportunity to speak, I will speak even (if given) five minutes.

That is a huge platform (the Umno assembly).

Big platform but talk for five minutes.

If given the chance to speak, what would you say?

(Laughs) Wait for it. If I tell you now, it won't be fun. (Then) people will not read the newspapers.

When you were prime minister and Abdullah your deputy, there was a report released regarding the Oil for Food scandal. Many world leaders (were implicated). Pak Lah himself was implicated - his name was listed as a beneficiary. But there was no action taken at that time. Were you aware of this?

When I was PM, I was not aware (of this) ... only after I stepped down was the (UN) report made. What is important is not whether he is a beneficiary or not but as a deputy prime minister - or anyone who holds a (government) position - he should not be involved in any commercial transactions. It looks like he was involved. How far he was involved, I don't know ... but I think there should be an investigation by an independent body, not by those under him. An Indian minister Natwar Singh quit when his name appeared on the list.

When Pak Lah was asked about it, he denied any knowledge but conceded that there were businessmen who met him to ask for support (regarding the programme). Maybe that's why his name was on the list.

That person was his sister-in-law ... that's what I found out.

Were those names from Malaysia listed (in the UN report) genuine?

The genuine ones ... like Effendi (no further details) yes, and (another person whose name was not audible) ... but they were not working with the government.

At least, I should have known or (at least) get my permission but no ... no permission was asked, and I didn't know anything about it until I resigned. If it happened during my era as prime minister, I would have rejected it and taken the necessary actions.

Now it seems the prime minister does not want to answer your questions. He appears not to be paying any attention to you. Will you continue talking?

I will continue talking. If he doesn't answer, don't answer ... because he can't answer...

If he answers, 'it is right what Dr Mahathir said, it is his (Abdullah's) mistake (that) he wants to allow Singapore fighter jets to use Malaysian airspace - is that right or wrong? If he says 'right' then people will be angry at him so he doesn't answer, (keeps) quiet.

But he is using Brendan Pereira (New Straits Times group editor) to dig up Ani Arope (former TNB CEO) and Tajuddin Ramli (former MAS chief). Apparently, I forced Tajuddin Ramli (to buy MAS shares). I can give the statement that he (Tajuddin) was elated to get MAS...

(Returning to Umno) How are you going to garner support from party members and the public for your actions?

I felt that I should express this matter (the issues) because it is true. I may not get support because I know Umno members are very afraid of the leadership.

Those who do things which are not approved by the leadership will get a call. They got a call from Perth (when Abdullah was holidaying there), from all over, telling them to stop (this is believed to be made in reference to inviting him to speak at Umno meetings), and the few that are brave have objected.

If this is what Umno wants, to hold on to people who do wrongs, and if you don't want to take (Umno) back from him, this is what you have to accept.

People get the government they want and if people can accept a leader that I say is a dictator, who does not allow me to talk to Umno... I was Umno president for 22 years. I was free to talk to Umno members. He was also free to talk to Umno members. Now I am being told that I cannot talk to Umno - Umno members cannot invite Dr Mahathir.

I know the Umno supreme council has decided that I cannot talk to Umno but Abdullah made the statement that Umno was free to invite whoever they want ... but in reality, they are not free because they will be called and told to cancel it. Look at Perlis (where the Umno Padang Besar division cancelled its invitation to Mahathir).

You say you want to strengthen the unity in Umno but what is happening now will lead to an internal crisis.

When Tunku Abdul Rahman did not do something, there were problems... Umno belongs to the people and has to fulfill their aspirations.

There is a perception that Umno people must respect and defend the leadership. What is your view on this?

Even in Islam (during prayers) if the imam does not recite properly, it is our duty to correct (him) ... even Saidina Abu Bakar (one of the caliphs) said, if I make a mistake, correct me... Can't I even reprimand a human being? I am only reprimanding...

What is being questioned is the way in which you reprimand - from the outside (publicly) and it is embarrassing to the party president and prime minister.

Even back then, I reprimanded Tunku Abdul Rahman but Umno remained. He realised it and he withdrew ... Datuk Onn also realised it and he too withdrew, but this goes to the extent of not letting people talk, closing their mouths, (getting) angry with ministers... I have never seen things like this. That's why I have to say things a bit harsh. If I whisper, I know nothing will happen.

Another issue is the quota system in Umno (which requires a minimum number of nominations to contest the top posts in the party). Do you think it should be continued?

There are times when it is needed, when faced with a particular problem. We don't want a split, it is needed, but not something permanent.