From Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's 'short attention span' to his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin's alleged political influence and business interests - former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has left nothing to the imagination in more no-holds-barred comments about his successor.

In an exclusive interview with Thomas Fuller of the Paris-based International Herald Tribune published yesterday, Mahathir responded with trademark virulence to a wide range of questions.

He accused his handpicked successor of going to sleep even when cases were presented to him at meetings.

Fending off long-standing criticism of decisions and policies during his 22-tenure and allegations of his children's involvement in business, Mahathir reiterated his reasons for being unhappy with Abdullah's administration.

The report, entitled 'In Malaysia, nostalgia grows for the days of Mahathir', quotes former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim as saying that the government is not paying enough attention to Mahathir's allegations about Malaysia being a police state, as well as rampant corruption, cronyism, abuse of power and a controlled media.

The report claims: "The former prime minister's campaign against the government is eliciting increasing levels of sympathy and support here from investment bankers, lawyers and other Malaysians dismayed that the government lacks a coherent long-term plan for the economy and has not delivered on its promises to clean up corruption ... also frustration among everyone from bankers to taxi drivers that Abdullah does not have the same vision for the future that Mahathir did."

Local political analysts and Mahathir's critics go to bat for Abdullah on some points, but concede that the criticism is 'sticking' and that the latter's credibility is at stake.

The report concludes: "After an hour-long interview it is difficult to know what exactly spurred this former medical doctor to jump back into politics.

"He said he was bothered most by the sway that Abdullah's son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, has over policy and the awarding of contracts. But he was also worried about preserving his legacy and continuing his aggressive building programme of highways, bridges and ports."

Vintage Mahathir

The blurb to the Q&A section notes: "His critique resonates among Malaysians who are frustrated by the slow pace of promised reforms and worried that Abdullah's programme of Islam Hadhari is blurring the lines between government and religion."

Main excerpts:

Let's get to the substance of your return to politics. What do you think Abdullah's biggest blunders have been?

I promised not to interfere with the government. For two years I did not interfere with his government. But what I noticed is that from the very beginning his family members became involved in government process. They actually attended government meetings although they had no status whatsoever.

There is clear evidence that the son-in-law (Khairy Jamaluddin) has very big say even in the appointment of ministers, even in the choice of candidates for the election. I have been told by the very people who have experienced this that he rings up chief ministers to give certain projects to certain people, including to his mother. This is something that I believe is absolutely true because the person who lost the project was very unhappy and he told me...

What state was this in and what project was it?

Prawn culture in the state of Perlis and a contract I believe in the state of Negri Sembilan.

What's your view on Islam Hadhari?

In the first place there is no call to introduce any other kind of Islam, whether it is modern Islam or Islam Hadhari. I have always maintained that Islam is a religion for all ages... I believe that the teachings of the religion as found in the Koran (are) very mild, very reasonable and should make for a good Muslim community. There is no need to go to any other branch, just stick to the fundamental teachings of Islam.

What about Abdullah's economic management?

Basically he does not understand how to move the economy. In order to prove that I was wrong in spending government money on what he calls mega projects he cuts back on that. If government does not spend money it doesn't generate wealth in the community...

Some have criticised Abdullah for being, for lack of a better word, sleepy... Do you feel that he lacks the energy that you had?

His attention span is very short and everybody tells me... that he goes to sleep, even while cases are being presented to him... He tends to let his advisors tell him what to do.

Mahathir versus Abdullah is something that has caught the attention of the region. Do you ever wonder if it is worth it?

I tried my best to say that it is not a personal thing between the two of us. It's a question of how things are done in this country. I pointed out that things are wrong not because of the person but because they are done wrongly.

But is there the risk that the rift damages Malaysia more than Abdullah could damage Malaysia?

No, I think Abdullah could damage Malaysia more...

Do you still rule out (Anwar Ibrahim) as a possible prime minister in the future?

I have my opinion about him, about his suitability, but of course others may have other opinions. As far as I am concerned he has lost his opportunity...

And Malaysia would be worse off if he were prime minister?

Probably.