Foreign Minister Anifah Aman has condemned Dr Mahathir Mohamad for undermining his own country through the foreign press.

In a strongly worded statement last night, Anifah said Mahathir was willing to smear Malaysia’s image internationally just to fulfil the latter’s personal vendetta.

He said Mahathir ( photo ) was attempting to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak because the former premier's personal demands were not met.

"Najib, as Malaysia’s democratically elected leader, will do what he thinks is right for the nation and will not allow rule by proxy," said Anifah.

Anifah was referring to a New York Times interview with Mahathir published on June 17.

Among other issues, Mahathir described Umno as having "become a repository of patronage-seeking politicians" and said unqualified party leaders "try to keep out people who are more intelligent than themselves".

Responding to this, Anifah said Mahathir was to be blamed of this malaise.

"It is Mahathir who led the party for 22 years. It was he that, during his time, worked to cultivate 'yes men' and entrench his position

"(He) even introduced a quota system for the Umno presidency to prevent challengers rather than bringing in talent and strengthening the party.

"It is Najib who democratised the party constitution to make it far easier to challenge him for his job," said Anifah.

Dr M abusing freedom

On Mahathir's claims that some of Najib's actions were "verging on criminal", Anifah said the claim was outrageous and false.

"It is a measure of the reforms put in place under the Najib administration that Mahathir has the freedom to be so vocally critical of the party and government he once led.

"But Mahathir is abusing that freedom and his privileged standing as a former prime minister to indulge in reckless and baseless personal smear against Najib and his family.

"Most Malaysians would rather see Mahathir retire gracefully than continue to damage the standing of his own country for personal political gain."