Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak's ( left ) caustic response to a report that criticised the premier's leadership has led to speculation that it may have been prompted by personal political tensions rather than unyielding admiration for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

An Umno source today said many members viewed the party vice-president's remarks against the Economist magazine for publishing the 'contentious' report, as indirectly targeting premier-in-waiting and party deputy president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Tensions have escalated between the supporters of the two leaders in recent months following Abdullah's continued silence o­n the choice of his deputy o­nce he assumes premiership.

Even Mahathir - who would be stepping down in October - had said that Najib would be the best choice for the deputy prime minister post.

At a press conference last Thursday, Najib lambasted the London-based Economist for publishing a 16-page article which belittled the 76-year-old premier and his policies.

Titled 'The Changing of The Guard: A Survey of Malaysia', the article in the magazine's April 5 issue said among others that "the greatest service Mahathir could render Malaysia after all these years would be to retire, full stop."

Unhealthy competition

According to the source, Najib's reaction could be construed as taking a swipe at the Home Ministry spearheaded by Abdullah, which oversees both local and foreign publications.

"After 20 days in distribution, the Home Ministry didn't take any action against the magazine concerned ... perhaps this was the reason Najib did it," added the source who declined to be named.

Later that day, Abdullah issued a statement that there was no dismissing Malaysia's achievements under Mahathir's 21-year stewardship.

The next day, the premier-to-be told reporters that, the government held the magazine accountable for the "inaccurate and unfair" report and added that the o­nly right thing for the publication to do would be to apologise.

"The question is why should Najib call for a press conference if Abdullah was going to release a press statement o­n the same matter, shortly after that?" asked the source.

"Unless it was Abdullah who wanted Najib to do so...that I don't know. Or probably Abdullah issued the statement in response to Najib's press conference," he said.

"We can't help thinking that all this is related to Abdullah's decision to delay announcing the appointment of his deputy."

Whatever the reasons may be, the source said such an "unhealthy" competition would prove disastrous for Umno which is undergoing a transition in leadership.

Third parties

However, another party source said there could be "third parties" involved who are fueling the friction between the two leaders for their own political interests.

"I was informed about the existence of these 'double-faced' groups who show support for both sides for whatever reasons," he said.

According to him, Najib probably called for the press conference, nearly three weeks after the magazine hit the newsstands, after being advised to do so by these quarters.