Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today refused to divulge details of his meeting with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, stating that it was merely a private discussion.
 
Asked about the meeting which happened on Tuesday, Tengku Razaleigh replied: "I meet everyone".
 
The meeting had raised eyebrows as the duo were archenemies and their quarrel in 1987 led to the brief deregistration of Umno the following year.
 
Pressed on what was discussed in the meeting, he said: "that is private, you need to ask Mahathir".

Tengku Razaleigh, better known as Ku Li, added that he had met Mahathir on the latter's invitation.

He also downplayed the significance of the meeting with Mahathir, stating that he had likewise met Najib on the prime minister's invitation.

"I met him (Najib) before Raya. He invited me, I went and gave my views," he said.

Advised Najib

Tengku Razaleigh added that he had met Najib twice but also refused to disclose what exactly was discussed.

"I gave my advice. I think there is no need to reveal it as it was also a private meeting," he told journalists at a Hari Raya open house at Bukit Jalil today.

On whether he could mediate between Mahathir and Najib, since he speaks to both, Tengku Razaleigh said he preferred not to get involved.

"I don't really want to get involved. We have seen how things are fine and that there would not be confusion among the rakyat.

"Especially since our economy is facing some problems. So (it's better) not to add more to the rakyat's problems, that is more important," he said.

Ku Li unsure of plot

On allegations that there was a plot to "topple" the government, Tengku Razaleigh said: "Some people have come to me asking me about it. I just say it's what the opposition has been doing. This is the work of the opposition."

On whether he was confident that Umno members were not behind the plot, Tengku Razaleigh said Umno members are normal human beings who were entitled to do what they wanted.

"They have their own views, too," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi this morning claimed that an Umno leader was leading an attempt to topple the government.

Citing "trusted sources", Zahid said there is an attempt to obtain statutory declarations (SD) of opposition MPs and an effort to get the support of BN MPs to topple the government using the "backdoor".

Asked if he believed Zahid's claim, Tengku Razaleigh replied: "Maybe (it's true) . You have to ask him."