'I have lost count how many times Nazri kissed Mahathir's hand. To me, what Nazri did was nothing less than apple-polishing,' says a reader.

On Be a 'jantan' - leave Umno, Mahathir told

Syed Imran: Simply rude! Anyway, that is Nazri Aziz. But, I am wondering why on earth did he come out in such a way to defend Khairy Jamaluddin? Any vested interests? It's an open secret that each and everyone in Umno politics, whether they like it or not, wants to be seen or closely associated with Khairy for obvious reasons, just like when they kiss the hand of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he was the prime minister.

I have lost count how many times Nazri kissed Mahathir's hand. To me, what Nazri did was nothing less than apple-polishing, which is very common among Umno politicians. So what's new, Nazri?

AW: You are so rude, Nazri, or should I address you as the 'King of Sucking Up'? Everything and anything that comes out of your mouth is crap. Take away the suit and the tie, you are just a thug who dances his way into power. Unless you have something intelligent or constructive to say, either officially or personally, I suggest you shut up. Or would that be asking too much of a senior minister in the government?

A Concerned Malaysian: First of all Nazri, Tun is a 'jantan'. He has proven himself to be a jantan even before your parents thought of bringing you into this world. Please watch your words, as Malaysians are not going to sit and listen to you humiliating our dear ex-prime minister.

A 31-year-old multi-millionaire should stand up for himself. Why is it he and his sorry father-in-law who happen to be your boss, is always silent and they get sidekicks like you to do the barking? Are you so worried if they go down, your credibility and integrity will be exposed? Don't insult the intelligence of Malaysians.

Tun is indeed a great voice for us all - he does not need to step down as he is questioning as a citizen and an ex-Umno boss, not as an opposition. Your remarks are so pathetic. It shows your class, to question one's gender. You deserve to be sacked for the remarks against your ex-PM.

Nazri, grow up... think of how to counter Mahathir instead of hitting below the belt. Come on, you have the support of the government machinery, including the press. He is winning the battle even on an uneven playing field, mate. I want to hear you retracting your statement and apologising to our great leader.

Satria Asia: I say man, Nazri, methinks you have just stuck a kerambit (dagger) in your belly and sliced it open - politically speaking, that is. Many division heads will not take too kindly to your 'kurang ajar-ness' towards an 81-year-old former leader.

But maybe you've done Tun Mahathir a favour, because your 'biadapness' will travel across through the grassroots of Umno, all wanting to know what's this all about - Tun's grouses will be spread far and wide, and those who have yet to know or take sides will now be quite determined to demand explanations.

Just confine your crassness for battles with the opposition, Nazri.

On Mahathir back on the warpath

Mike: There is nothing new in Tun M's lecture. It consists only of personal attacks, which is the good old dirty tactics of communists and politically bankrupt persons who cannot advanced their arguments any further. To me, there is nothing wrong for the PM to surround himself with smart people be they be from Oxford or Timbuktu. When the Tun was in power, he had his own kitchen cabinet, people whom he trusted to consult and to carry out his wishes.

Anyway, we do not need a rocket scientist to tell us that a crooked bridge is not a bridge. The whole world will laugh at us if we proceed to build it. Only senile and decrepit people would consider building it and that too just to satisfy their insatiable ego. I am myself persuaded that MV Augusta will drag Proton down the road to bankruptcy if it was not cut immediately.

Frankly, the good old former doctor should know that a cancer once detected must be lobbed off immediately or else it will spread. But alas, he will not accept any answer given to him however rational. It may be because he will have to admit that he and Tengku Mahaleel have made a very very bad investment decision.

But then again, why should he be so defensive now as all his past business investments have proven to be total failures, costing the country billions of ringgit down the drain and considerable hardship to its citizens. Why blame Rafidah for dishing out APs to only certain individuals when he dished out the IPPs to his so-called friends for which the public will now have to suffer by increased tariffs? The truth is there is no proper policy for the NEP distribution, not during his time and not even now. It's a everyman or women for himself policy.

So, let's not have one pot calling the kettle black. If Tengku Mahaleel feels he has been unfairly dismissed, then he has recourse in the Industrial Court, which is traditionally in favour of employees. Truly, if the great Tun has nothing new to say, he should shut up and stop making a fool of himself. He seems to have some secret ammunition up his sleeve. Please reveal it or shut up! If he does not shut, then Umno will rightly need to sack him to stop him from embarrassing the government and the country any further.

Anwar Dahlan: I think that Tun Mahathir's repeated and increasingly bitter rants are acts of hypocrisy par excellence. I agree that he should be given the space to vent his views because his particular perspective is a pretty distinct one but I would also argue that he accepts criticism in return.

Tun Mahathir is correct when he says that Tengku Mahaleel ran Proton profitably while he was in charge but Tun should know that was under a very artificial environment with no real competition from other manufacturers. Mahaleel's only response to greater competition was to vehemently and publicly protest the potential introduction of real competition to Proton in Malaysia's automobile market. His is not a business mind suited to a 21st century of globalised and open trade and competition.

In fact, Mahaleel should explain exactly what sustainable practices and strategies as well as competitive products he had introduced in Proton to prepare it for the inevitable advance of globalisation during his time as CEO, perhaps he could even begin with the big ideas behind the Proton Tiara.

Furthermore, I cannot understand the continued defence of the MV Agusta purchase; in this instance, Tun is at his trademark best, just simplifying everything to the lowest common denominator hoping everyone will accompany him in glossing over the significant details of any particular issue. Although this seems to work with some of the more challenged PAS leadership,

the public at large seem to have caught on to it. To argue that BMW (which actually begun operations as an aeroplane manufacturer) and Honda began as motorcycle companies is irrelevant.

Tun Mahathir, of all people, who so often has eloquently argued that we should not just ape what the West is doing, is now doing exactly that in criticising the current Proton management for selling MV Agusta. In any event, why didn't the much trumpeted technology transfer take place? I think there are more questions that Tun and Mahaleel should answer as to why they bought Agusta in the first place for such a high price.

The fact is that had Proton not divested Agusta, they would continue to incur losses far in excess of the initial purchase price. It really boils down the fact that Tun Mahathir and Tengku Mahaleel cannot bring themselves to admit a mistake was made in the purchase of Agusta and would instead rather continue to throw good money after bad.

Returning to the more general point of Tun Mahathir's now frequent outbursts, the fact that this last outburst occurred at an event co-organised by Malaysia Today clearly demonstrates Tun's desperation in seeking avenues to vent his bitterness. Malaysia Today , while increasing in popularity, is that run-of-the-mill purveyor of unsubstantiated gossip driven not to inform but to disseminate the agenda of unseen political players. At best, Malaysia Today is an entertaining joke, at worst, it is precisely an example which those against press freedom would use to argue that the Malaysian media is not ready to handle an unbridled responsibility of communicating with the public.

In actuality, I am not that surprised by Malaysia Today being the latest standard bearer of Mahathir, following on where the likes of Mathias Chang left off. What is quite shocking is the feeble opportunist opposition, the so-called new generation of PAS leadership, queuing up to stand alongside Mahathir in a desperate attempt to identify themselves with him in the hope of scrounging for some leftover scraps of public support. However, I am glad that there are still some people with principles in the opposition who don't just take the easiest ride as it comes along.

In conclusion, I would still say that Malaysians should listen to what Tun Mahathir has to say because his vantage point is still, in some respects, an unprecedented one. But we should also not let him get away with gross oversimplifications and indeed begin to challenge his arguments wherever we think they are off the mark, something we should remember we were far more

afraid of doing for 22 years until late 2003.

Tom Peters: Mahathir's smokescreens are apparent, APs, Proton, half-bridge, pending Putrajaya projects, etc, but the real reason why he is irked at Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is what he has been quite silent about - Anwar.

Upon taking over, Badawi removed controls that were not supposed to be there in the first place and Anwar is now home and a threat to Mahathir's 'legacy', which he is fervently trying to prop up through his forums..

Anwar's freedom is the real reason why Mahathir is at Badawi's throat. He has bones on the other issues but they are secondary to Anwar. Visit Malaysia Today and take a look at Anwar's 'Reply to Mahathir's Defence', unedited, and you will see why Mahathir's 'legacy' is at stake.

It's a thrilling account that would make your stomach turn and I hear Anwar is just getting warm. Although allegations contained in his reply are unproven at this point, it is clear that Mahathir did not relish the prospect of his alleged worms being unearthed by his nemesis after stepping down.

Badawi knows the actual reason of Mahathir's anger and that the other issues are vehicles Mahathir has to unseat him and that as long as Badawi maintains his seat, Anwar will have his day in court.

Ahmad Fuad: Yes, let's call a spade a spade. Tell me, what do we call someone who accuses someone else of sodomy in front of worldwide audience but have miserably failed to back his claims?