Mahathir not surprised with Anwar's support for Israel's actions
Read more: Mahathir not surprised with Anwar's support for Israel's actions - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/mahathir-not-surprised-with-anwar-s-support-for-israel-s-actions-1.39457#ixzz2HEoKUq91PUTRAJAYA: The statement by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of expressing full support for actions taken in protecting Israel's security -- made during an interview with The Wall Street Journal recently -- was no surprise to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Dr Mahathir said this was because the opposiiton leader had a close relationship with Jewish leaders since some time ago.
Dr Mahathir said Anwar's motive was to promote himself as a modern and liberal leader in order to win praise from the western countries.
"I'm not surprised as I know he (Anwar) is close to them (Israel). He is also very friendly with many members of the United States Congress and Senate who are of Jewish origin. He is sympathetic towards the Jewish state's struggle.
"Definitely he is close to Israel because he likes to be praised by the West for this. He wants to be seen as a modern leader who follows the trend, but actually he is way behind time," he said after delivering a Razak Series lecture titled, 'A Malaysian Approach to Public Leadership', at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre today.
Dr Mahathir also hit out at Anwar for always tarnishing the country's good name to the world.
Asked on Anwar's leadership, he said without any direction and development agenda for the country and people, the former deputy prime minister had a big dream of capturing Putrajaya and becoming prime minister.
Dr Mahathir said only leaders who really understood the people's needs and had no self-importance could take the country to a higher level of development but Anwar did not have such qualities.
"Anwar and his supporters' main aim is take over Putrajaya as prime minister. But (development) programmes he has none.
"He tells everyone that he is liberal, a man for everyone, so he gets support and may become prime minister," Dr Mahathir added. -- BERNAMA
