There is no hope for reconciliation between former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his hand-picked successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi if things continued in its current course.

That was the bold prediction of former finance minister and ex-Umno vice president Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

"It's difficult to comment because of the attitude of the two gentlemen.

"It seems that Pak Lah does not care about what has been raised by Dr Mahathir," said Tengku Razaleigh.

He was talking to reporters after attending a Hari Raya function at former Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali's residence in Kuala Lumpur last night.

"It's up to those two. But if that is their behaviour, there is no need for another meeting," he added.

After months of a bickering feud between Mahathir and Abdullah over the latter's style of leadership, the two finally had a one-on-one meeting on Oct 22.

However, even before the dust had settled from the meeting, Mahathir fired fresh salvos at Abdullah, renewing his attacks on the prime minister's economic mismanagement, corruption and cronyism.

For his part, Abdullah said that he was disappointed with the new rounds of criticisms even before he had time to answer the issues raised by Mahathir at the meeting.

As things stand, Mahathir who is recuperating from a mild heart attack, has said that he will continue with his criticisms while Abdullah responded by saying his predecessor can say whatever he wants.

Abdullah maintains that he has the overwhelming support of the people to continue with his task.

Fresh talks?

In the meantime, there are talks that a second reconciliation meeting between the two are being organised.

Tengku Razaleigh, who once come very close in toppling Mahathir as the Umno president in 1987, said that Mahathir was entitled to his opinions.

"Everyone's opinions must be heard. Whether correct or otherwise is another matter. But as a former Umno president, when he (Mahathir) questions something, we have to pay attention to what he raises," he said.

"Whether it was correct or not depends on the government," he added.

"Now today, people don't allow Mahathir his right to air his views. They were all his proteges when he led the country. There is no reason why attention shouldn't be given to Mahathir," said the Kelantan prince.

Siapa Anwar?

On speculations that he was forming an alliance with Mahathir and former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in a 'grand design' to topple the ruling government, Tengku Razaleigh gave an emphatic no for an answer.

" Tak adalah. Siapa Anwar? (No? Who is Anwar?). And I have not met Mahathir since the visit to the hospital," he said.

Tengku Razaleigh visited Mahathir while the latter was recuperating for his heart attack on Nov 8.

He also denied that he was in constant contact with Mahathir, adding that he does not even have the former premier's phone number.

A recently published political book, entitled ' Macam-macam ada' , author and political commentator Syed Hussein Alattas claimed the existence of an alliance among Tengku Razaleigh, Mahathir and Anwar to form an opposition coalition to challenge the ruling Barisan Nasional government.

Sale of the book, among many others, was banned at the recently concluded Umno general assembly.