Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz rained a torrent of criticism on Dr Mahathir Mohamad today, describing the former prime minister as an “unprincipled hypocrite”

As for Mahathir defending the stand of the Conference of Rulers on 1MDB, Nazri recalled how Mahathir himself had reduced the powers of the sultans during his tenure.

"He was the one (who did it). No need for me to comment.

"He was the one who reduced their immunity. Many sultans are angry with him," Nazri told reporters after attending a book launch in Kuala Lumpur.

In 1983, Mahathir ( photo ) spearheaded a campaign against the monarchy, which saw the ruling government successfully removing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's absolute veto power on legislation passed by Parliament.

In 1993, Mahathir also successfully introduced limits to the immunity of the rulers from prosecution, allowing them to be charged in a special court.

Nazri agrees on 'flip-flopping'

Asked about Mahathir’s criticism of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for usurping the power of the judiciary by removing Abdul Gani Patail as attorney-general, Nazri asked the journalist to comment on this.

When the journalist replied that Mahathir was “flip-flopping”, Nazri concurred with the comment.

“Don’t worry, lah. The minister is backing you. (Mahathir is) all hypocrisy, lah. You just say I agree with you.”

He then joked that the journalist’s comment reflected the people’s sentiment.

Not wanting to waste his time in responding to questions on issues raised by Mahathir, the senior minister said it was best to turn a deaf ear to the former prime minister.

"Better ignore this man. This man (Mahathir) has no principles," the Padang Rengas MP added.

Haze slightly affected tourist arrivals

Meanwhile, Nazri opined that the haze may have slightly affected the arrival of tourists to Malaysia.

“It’s unfortunate … the haze has slightly affected (tourist) arrivals. Because it’s no longer a choice for the tourists. If Malaysia has no haze but it occurs in Singapore, then the tourists can come to Malaysia.

“But Singapore and Malaysia are suffering from the haze. Mati lah, kita! (We are dying)” he said to laughter from the reporters.

However, Nazri could not provide the exact figures on the drop in tourist arrivals as the data is still being compiled.

The haze, originating from forest and oil palm plantation fires in the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, has shrouded Malaysia for the past two months.