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.