I refer to the comments to the letter 'Mahathir Mohammed the controversial man' which appeared in the Malaysiakini report 'Doesn't Bangsa Malaysia include Indians?' and wish to draw his attention to the following.

I do not think anybody should apologise on behalf of the ‘public at large' and least of all to Dr Mahathir Mohamad of all persons.

Wasn't this the man who incarcerated Anwar Ibrahim? Wasn't this the man who was responsible for operation Lallang during which many innocent Malaysian politicians were jailed without trial while the real trouble-makers were allowed to roam free, putting fear into the rest of Malaysians?

These are the type of actions that are barbaric including not calling a spade a spade. Whether he is old or young does not matter for this 'old man' is still talking and promoting racial politics in order that he may benefit from the same.

I am no fan of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz as well, but I think the Tun had done it this time and should stop intimidating the present leaders no matter how bad or good they are.

He was responsible for getting Khairy Jamaluddin dumped by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and instead placed his son Mukhriz in his place. Why hasn't he attacked the appointment of Mukhriz when Mukhriz lost in the Umno Youth polls and Khairy won?

In fact, of the three candidates who contested the Umno Youth chief's position, Mukhriz received the least number of votes. The reason Mahathir is keeping quiet over Mukhriz's appointment is because he knows Mukhriz is there to do his bidding.

He (Mukhriz) always has and he always will. He (Mukhriz) will even attack Najib if he needs to, that is, if his father instructs him to. Remember how Mukhriz attacked the ex-PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi earlier. Abdullah was an old man too, so was Mukhriz ‘barbaric'?

Najib should not apologise for Nazri. It is already perceived by many that Najib is working under the direction and control of Mahathir.

On the other hand, if Najib is indeed independent, he should come out with solid reasons why he appointed Nazri and defend his decision to appoint him. And he should tell the old man to stop meddling.

Better still, sack Mukhriz and put Khairy in his place so others will know that Mahathir does not hold sway over Najib and it is Najib himself who is running this country.

As it looks right now, Najib is scared and beholden to what Mahathir says. Both of them can deny it, but public perception, the credibility of both and they way Najib is acting towards Mahathir only reinforces this image.

Why, Mahathir has openly said that he would like to see Mukhriz look into the Approve Permit issue and that is exactly what Mukhriz is doing. Suddenly the undersea cable project to link the Bakun Dam to Johor is now being seriously considered and to top it all, the ‘crooked bridge' which was to have been written off is now back in the news.

Mahathir Mohamad should lay off running the country. Projects initiated by him which were written off should only be re-considered after a careful study by independent consultants.

This is cheaper to do than to put good public money to waste to benefit only a handful.