Malaysia's success in dealing with the 1997-98 financial crisis had disappointed her critics, including "vested interest" politicians and the mass media, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in his 2004 budget speech in the Dewan Rakyat today.

"While many others applauded us, politicians and the mass media with "vested interests" refuse to acknowledge our success," he said in his 92-page speech. He did not identify these groups.