Ironically, amid the controversy surrounding Muslim pilgrimage fund Tabung Haji's land purchase from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), one of the firm's fiercest critics, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, went to Mecca to perform the umrah.
The former premier, who has been using the problems in 1MDB as his main tool to chisel Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's exit, and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali are scheduled to return tomorrow.
In view of this, a mobile text message is being circulated calling Malaysians to gather at Subang Skypark to welcome the couple.
The message reads: Jom sambut negarawan terbilang Tun Mahathir yang kembali dari Mekah bersama Tun Dr Siti Ibu Mithali Negara pada 15hb Mei Jumaat, jam 12.30pm di Subang Skypark Terminal. Tun M adalah insan mulia yang terlalu banyak jasa pada negara. Dihina, dikeji dan dikutuk Namun Tun M meneruskan misi perjuangan yang belum selesai. Rakyat marhen bersama tun walaupun tidak diberi BR1M. Ayoh kita ke Subang Skypark.
(Let us welcome Mahathir who is returning from Mecca... He is a great soul who has done much good for this nation. Though berated and insulted, he continues the struggle. The people are with him despite not receiving BR1M).
BR1M or Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia is a cash handout policy introduced by Najib's administration, which Mahathir disagrees with.
Not the first time
Apart from calling it an attempt to bribe voters, Mahathir also claimed that the current prime minister believes "cash is king".
In 2008, when Mahathir was campaigning for his successor and Najib’s predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ouster, a similar move was orchestrated.
Soon after arriving at Subang Airport from a trip to Japan then, the former premier immediately launched a salvo at Abdullah.
Addressing his supporters through a loud-hailer for about five minutes from the sunroof of a silver multi-purpose van (MPV), he had accused Abdullah of being a traitor.
However, unlike Abdullah, Najib has made it clear that he would not bow down to pressure and has even retaliated against Mahathir.
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