Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad found unexpected support from Malaysia’s sweetheart Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin. — Picture by Choo Choy MayKUALA LUMPUR, April 15 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad found unexpected support from Malaysia’s sweetheart Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin, who posted a picture of the former prime minister on her Instagram account with a caption saying she will “always be with Tun”.
The pop icon posted the photo with the letters 1MDB partially seen in the background, referring to 1Malaysia Development Bhd that Dr Mahathir has been criticising, along with a quote from his most recent blog post saying he was “alone” in attacking the government.
“Love u Tun & sentiasa bersama Tun... Sejarah kepimpinan Tun mengharungi pelbagai cabaran & dugaan membangunkan Malaysia hingga terkenal di mata Dunia patut kita hargai serta contohi… Tiada yang Muda Kalau tidak kerana Orang Tua… #sayaanakMalaysia #sebak,” according to a post she wrote yesterday, which has so far garnered 18,000 likes on her official instagram account “ctdk”.
The caption roughly translates to, “Love you, Tun and I will always be with you. Your track record in facing trials and tribulations in developing Malaysia until it is world renowned should be appreciated and emulated... There are no young people without the elderly”.
In recent remarks, Dr Mahathir said he could no longer remain silent and that the days for diplomacy have long passed, adding he will now push for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s resignation openly.
He said the prime minister’s refusal to address allegations such as those surrounding 1MDB and linking him to the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu put BN’s rule at risk.
Najib responded last week via a televised interview with TV3, during which he said Dr Mahathir’s criticism was due to his desire for the “Crooked Bridge” to be revived and the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) discontinued.
The so-called “Crooked Bridge” was Dr Mahathir’s idea to replace the Causeway, but was discontinued by his successor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and believed to be among reasons why the latter was hounded out of office by the man who put him there.
Across the weekend, Dr Mahathir reportedly said BR1M was spent on ingrates when others, such as those on the island of Langkawi in his home state, were in much greater need.
A screen grab of the post as seen on Siti’s official Instagram account.
