Government and business leaders today rallied to the defence of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after a blistering attack from former premier Mahathir Mohamad who handed him the job.

A row between the two exploded yesterday when Mahathir accused his successor of breaking his promises and damaging the country by rolling back the veteran leader's initiatives.

Mahathir said he had a habit of "choosing the wrong people" and that he had been "stabbed in the back".

"I chose him and I expected a certain degree of gratefulness," he said of Abdullah who was appointed three years ago.

In a sign of Mahathir's fading significance in Malaysian politics, leading politicians including Abdullah's reputed rival lined up to pledge their support and defend his performance.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said it was not true that Abdullah, known popularly here by his nickname 'Pak Lah', had betrayed Mahathir.

"He did not backstab Tun (Mahathir). Pak Lah has a lot of respect for Tun and is sensitive towards him," he told the New Straits Times .

"The government's strength lies in its ability to build on the foundation already laid out. Whatever it is, it's still the same government running the country," he said.

Najib backs Pak Lah

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is Abdullah's heir apparent under the protocol of the ruling Umno, also pledged his allegiance and said Abdullah was doing what he believed was best for the country.

"I am appealing to all leaders, party members and all the rakyat (people) to give full support to the PM," he said during a visit to India.

Malaysian Airlines chairman Munir Majid, who is also president of the Kuala Lumpur Business Club, said the criticism of the premier was damaging for business in the country.

"Political stability is one of Malaysia's strongest cards and it should not be undermined," he said according to the official Bernama news agency.

"When there are sharp interjections from a respected former prime minister, they could cause disunity which is a serious threat to stability and certainty," he said.

The airline chief said that Abdullah's administration had earned political legitimacy from the electorate in its 2004 landslide election victory.

"Let's get on with it, for the sake of our country and its future," he said.

Stung by a series of attacks in recent months, the government has begun hitting back against Mahathir, telling him to stop interfering in politics and accusing him of causing serious damage with his constant broadsides.

Political commentators have speculated that Mahathir is attempting to engineer Abdullah's departure within his first term, which is due to expire in 2008.