BN leaders not impressed with Mahathir's apology

PUTRAJAYA: The apology by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad about his involvement in politics was only meant as a 'general qualified apology', according to MCA National publicity spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.
"A general apology such as the one he gave during his speech is part of the Malay norm and culture when one is apologetic.
"If Mahathir really meant it, he should instead be more specific," he told theSun when contacted today.
Ti said Mahathir's speech was just his usual attempt to pass the blame for his mistakes to the current administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
"He is a dictator and will always be the biggest in the country. One can easily judge his sincerity by reflecting on his track record in the past such as the Internal Security Act (ISA)," he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said Mahathir had ample opportunity to practice what he preached during his speech.
"Mahathir could have afforded the freedom that he proposes now to the press and individuals when he was the Prime Minister among many other things but he did not.
"His apology was to whom? Those who suffered under Ops Lalang and ISA? It was so general and customary that it makes it even tougher for many to comprehend," he said.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said Mahathir had become a political comedian with his recent remarks and promises.
"He is simply mad to make all sorts of proposals and issue an apology more than 30 years later, especially when laws have already been put in place to protect freedom of speech," he said.
Their response came after Mahathir who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, apologised for his mistakes throughout his involvement in politics.
Speaking at PPBM's Inaugural Annual General Assembly on Saturday, Mahathir, who had led the country for 22 years, said that he was just a normal person who could not run away from making mistakes.
"Before I end my speech, I would like to apologise if I have offended anyone. Just like a normal person, who is not shy in expressing my views, I too admit that I've made mistakes, not only today but throughout my involvement in the country's politics.
"I sincerely apologise for my mistakes throughout," Mahathir said.