The Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) today expressed regret over what it said was “ill-treatment” by national oil company Petronas towards its former adviser Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

MTEM chief executive officer  told reporters that it was made known to him that Petronas cleared out Mahathir’s office at the Petronas Twin Towers a mere 24 hours after Mahathir had submitted his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Mohd Nizam ( right ) said this was in poor form as Mahathir himself had initially given a positive response when asked by Najib to reconsider resigning as Petronas adviser.

“Instead, Petronas kept quiet and we were informed by reliable sources on how Mahathir was ill-treated when his office (at the Twin Towers) was emptied 24 hours after he resigned.

“Is this how Petronas repays the deeds of a statesman who had steered Petronas into becoming a Fortune 500 company, which is through his undoubted contributions for 27 years to this day?

“This is truly arrogant and we consider him (Petronas CEO Shamsul Azhar Abas) as Si Tanggang,” he said.

Si Tanggang is a successful ship captain in Malay folklore, who pretended he did not recognise his mother because he was ashamed of her poverty.

Mahathir, 88, in explaining his decision several days after resigning, said he had done so on doctor’s advice due to his ill health. He had prior to that been hospitalised.

“I am old, the doctor told me to reduce my activities but the prime minister has made a request (for me to reconsider my decision), so I don’t know. We shall see,” he said then.

Asked whether his resignation was accepted in a separate event later, he said he was still considering staying on.

“I have submitted my letter of resignation to Najib, as he appointed me, but to date he has yet to accept my resignation... So I am still thinking about that decision,” he said.