THE government should rethink its position on monetary awards for former prime ministers, Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Langkawi-Pejuang) said in Parliament today.

According to Dr Mahathir, the government was operating as if was above the Federal Constitution and could do anything.

He said government should respect the constitution and the laws that have been passed by Dewan Rakyat.

“In one case, it is gifts for former prime ministers. However, (we understand) there are no laws on the giving of gifts.

“Maybe we can introduce new laws that do not contradict the constitution. I believe there will be chaos if the country’s laws are pushed aside,” he said during the debate on the royal address earlier today.

Dr Mahathir was likely referring to former prime minister Najib Razak, who last year applied for RM100 million to buy a plot of land and house in Kuala Lumpur. The application was later withdrawn after a public backlash.

Dr Mahathir alleged that Najib had asked for RM60 million for the plot and RM40 million cash.

“I have made a decision to reject the offer, even though, on principle, it is based on my entitlement as a former prime minister,” Dr Mahathir said, adding that private sector companies often award retirees with a golden handshake.

“Those who have contributed and served the company would maybe get a Rolex watch,” he said, pointing to the houses given to former prime ministers as a case in point.

However, he said fifth prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was paid RM70 million, a sum he described as excessive.

“The decision was made without referring to the Dewan Rakyat and whichever existing law or any law that can be used to decide the value of the remuneration.

“When Najib left, he wrote a letter asking the government for his services RM100 million. RM60 million for building and RM40 million cash.

“There is no provision in law that states that this sum can be given to a former prime minister.

“We must follow the rule of law. Even though there is no law prohibiting this, it is out of the ordinary for prime ministers.”

Dr Mahathir went as far as to say the only contribution to the country his protégé and former prime minister made was stealing from the national coffers.

“He is convicted by the court and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

“The government is acting as though it can make any decision and the decision cannot be questioned by the people.

“This is not right. We need to follow the rule of law.”

Dr Mahathir said that, as a former prime minister, he did not take a single sen.

“I admit that I was given a piece land, but, I rejected that deal and offered to buy the land. When, I was prime minister, I got my salary of RM20,000 a month.

“That’s a huge amount. It is more than enough. I was given a car, house and even a plane, so what more do I need?

“The problem is that these decisions were made without referring to any law. It is as if the government can make any decisions as though that this Dewan doesn’t exist.” – March 7, 2022.