Despite repeated criticisms by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi continued to uphold his elegant silence, telling the media that he will talk about it at another time.

Talking to reporters today after the cabinet's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the Putra World Trade Centre, Abdullah stressed that he will not be cowed into responding to the latest rounds of criticisms.

"Not on that subject, please. There will be another time," he said.

When pressed further to open up and comment on the meeting, Abdullah merely said: "No... I am not talking on that subject... there will be a time for that."

According to a Bernama report, the prime minister however appeared jovial and noted that the huge turnout at the open house attracting almost 200,000 people - demonstrated that the people had confidence in him.

"I believe those who came are happy. Some told me keep on going with the good job. We will support you (they said). There are some who are happy and some not. People give me confidence... I like to meet the people," Abdullah added.

More attacks from Mahathir

After months of a very public spat between the two leaders, a two-hour reconciliation meeting took place on Sunday in Seri Perdana the prime minister's official residence in Putrajaya.

Immediately after the meeting, Mahathir held an impromptu press conference, saying that while he was satisfied with the meeting, he would nevertheless continue to criticise the government until changes are made.

He then held another press conference yesterday in which he continued his attacks of Abdullah's leadership.

He had expressed discontentment over various issues like the scrapping of a proposed bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore and the issuance of Approved Permits (APs) for imported vehicles.

He had also accused Abdullah of mismanaging the nation's economy and giving preference to his family.

Earlier today, deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said that the government will respond to Mahathir's allegations on Abdullah's leadership.

He said that his boss will give a long and detailed answer to all the questions and clarifications sought by Mahathir.

"I have spoken to Pak Lah (Abdullah) and he is prepared to answer the issues raised by Tun Dr Mahathir in great detail. The answers will be given at a meeting or in writing... it's up to the prime minister," Bernama quoted Najib as saying.

Umno united behind Pak Lah

Despite Abdullah's unwillingness to comment on the matter, others, especially Umno ministers, were not so quiet.

Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Mohammed Nazri Aziz, said he was disturbed by Mahathir's latest rounds of attack.

"We all know that he wants to bring down the government, bring down Pak Lah (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi)," he said.

Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said Mahathir's open criticism will only worsen the situation in the country.

"Foreign investments are still coming in and the country's economy is not as bad as portrayed by Dr Mahathir," he said.

Kelantan Umno liaison chief Annuar Musa said Abdullah must be firm with the government's stand not to give in to the pressure by Mahathir on his demands over government's decisions.

"Pak Lah has not done anything bad to the country so far. As such, Kelantan Umno is standing firmly behind Pak Lah," he said.

Umno information chief Muhd Muhammad Taib said: "Mahathir should not go on criticising. What is more important now is to empower Abdullah's leadership".

Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed meanwhile said Mahathir's criticisms are considered as baseless, not objective and emotional, he said.

International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz said that Mahathir should give a chance to Abdullah to run the country in his own style and let the people make their assessment.

Behave like a pensioner

Earlier in the day, Sultan Iskandar al-Marhum Sultan Ismail of Johor is reported to have told former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to keep quiet and act like a 'pensioner'.

"If one has already been pensioned, just behave like a pensioner, what is the use of making more noise?" Bernama quoted a source who repeated the sultan's remarks today.

According to the report, the sultan was to have said this to about a hundred people at the Sultan Abdul Bakar Mosque in Johor Baru after performing the Aidilfitri prayers.