Malaysiakini: What were the real reasons for your dismissal from NST ?

Abdullah:

There were various reasons. Once a former head of our intelligence (agency) asked me, did you connive all this ... he's very clever, he knows me. Let's stick to the official explanation.

The only thing I told Pak Lah (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) in my letter to him was that he had every right to sack me. It was his prerogative, I don't mind. But I told him that what surprised me was the speed in the decision, and it happened on the eve of Hari Raya ... otherwise, it was okay.

And of course, they said that I support (then Umno vice-president) Najib (Abdul Razak) too much. I don't think so. I knew that Najib was going to be the deputy prime minister all this time.