The open war between Dr M and Najib appears to be spilling over to former PM’s daughter Marina Mahathir, as she entered the crosshairs of Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia today on her comments on hudud.
In its weekly editorial analysis in Mingguan Malaysia , Awang Selamat, the editorial pseudonym for the paper, warned her to behave when speaking on hudud as it could disturb the feelings of Muslims.
"To Awang, Marina can say anything but she should be more careful especially on Islamic issues. Even if she is against hudud, it is too much for a Muslim to give such strong comments," the paper said.
In a recent interview with the portal theMalayMailOnline , Marina reportedly said she would leave the country if it implemented hudud.
“I cannot live in a country where people want to cut off hands, I’m sorry, or stone people to death," she reportedly said.
The paper’s rare attack on Marina was seen as another development in the current spat between Mahathir and Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Abdul Razak ( photo ).
Najib had gone on a nationwide blitz to shore up his support, with thousands welcoming him in Pahang, Perak and Perlis.
On Wednesday, The prime minister defied calls for him to step down, declaring that he will complete his term as the country's premier.
"I was democratically elected by both the party and the people, and, as I have the mandate, will complete my term as party president and prime minister.
"My priority is to ensure that we achieve Vision 2020 and the economic, governmental and political transformation that will benefit all Malaysians," he said in a latest frequently asked questions section posted on his blog.
Two days later, Mahathir ( photo ) hit back at that statement, saying Najib's predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did quit without completing his term even though he was not plagued with allegations of a luxurious lifestyle.
"Before this, there was no talk of a prime minister's lavish spending, of purchases of expensive things, of a life of luxury.
"Some of these may not be true. But such talk was not heard during the tenure of previous prime ministers.
"That there is such talk, must be the result of a way of life that is different from what is expected of prime ministers," Mahathir said in a blog posting on Friday.
