Former Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad has dismissed the allegation that taxpayer funds were used to finance the construction of the 40-storey Umno headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

"I don't think so, if they had done that I'm not aware. As far as I know, we paid for the construction of that building. We borrowed money, yes, but we paid," said Mahathir.

The allegation came from a book, ‘Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times', written by former Asian Wall Street Journal managing editor Barry Wain.

putra world trade centre pwtc Wain claimed to have seen confidential accounting documents which showed that a company contracted by Umno to construct the building had repaid only a tiny fraction of the RM250 million in loans obtained from government-owned banks.

Quoting former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, Wain said the banks subsequently wrote off at least RM140 million in debts after Umno suffered financial difficulties in the late 1980s.

Mahathir said he was unfairly portrayed in Wain’s book.

"It is a fantastic book which everybody should read because in my 22 years as prime minister, I did nothing right at all,” said the former premier sarcastically.

“The whole (book) is a series of wrong things done by me. It is okay. Of course, he is a bit blind. He cannot see anything," said Mahathir, who confirmed he had read it.

Dr M has no intention to sue

Mahathir said Wain did not indicate that he would be critical during the interviews conducted for the book since 2007.

NONE "I thought he was a reformed character. He used to criticise me before. He was so very nice when he came to see me. He asked me very nice questions. On the topics he wanted to say nasty things, he didn't say anything. That's journalistic freedom."

However, despite several others allegations made against him, Mahathir said he would not sue Wain for defamation because the court process would take too long.

"It is a waste of time. You don't get any satisfaction out of that," he said.

Wain's book is currently withheld by the Home Ministry pending approval . The book is enjoying brisk sales in Singapore.