malaysia
Fair to fire Dr Mahathir as Petronas adviser, say Umno leaders
Umno Supreme Council members say it was appropriate to terminate Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's appointment as Petronas adviser since the former prime minister had been conspiring to overthrow a legitimate government. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 12, 2016.It was proper to terminate the appointment of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) adviser as he was conspiring with the opposition to topple the legitimate government, said Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
Idris, who is higher education minister, said the Cabinet had collectively made the decision yesterday as the post was usually given to those who supported the existing government.
"Now Dr Mahathir was not only with the opposition but was working to bring down a legitimate government voted in by the people and therefore he should be dropped as Petronas adviser," he said after joining about 1,000 participants in the Putra-Makna Run 2016 at Universiti Putra Malaysia today.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement said the Cabinet had unanimously agreed to end the appointment of Dr Mahathir as Petronas adviser as his views did not support the government. It added that he should not be holding any posts linked to the government.
The Prime Minister's Office said the Cabinet had discussed the action of the former prime minister, especially after launching the Citizens' Declaration which was aimed at overthrowing the government through an action which was against the law and the constitution of the country with opposition leaders last week.
Dr Mahathir was appointed Petronas adviser after resigning as prime minister in 2003. He has also been chairman of Proton Holdings since June 2014.
Meanwhile in Teluk Intan, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the Cabinet decision to terminate the appointment of Dr Mahathir as Petronas adviser was appropriate.
He said this followed Dr Mahathir's signing of the Citizens' Declaration with opposition party leaders which proved he wanted to bring down the government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who is Umno president.
"Petronas is owned by the government and as Petronas adviser, he is indirectly the government's adviser but now that he is with the opposition, how can we keep him?" he said. – Bernama, March 12, 2016.
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