Dr M blames US for Gaza war

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has blamed the US for backing Israeli military aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, saying it makes the US "much more guilty than even the Israelis".

The former Prime Minister on Monday said that no matter how clever or powerful Israel was it would not be able to carry out the offensive without US support.

"The backing by the US gives it encouragement to do all these things which I think ordinary Americans would not like to see them do," Mahathir said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

"Israelis believe it they go to war there is this big brother that is going to come with the weapons, with the money, so they don’t care what the world thinks."

He also suggested a boycott of the greenback as a way to pressure the US, saying that if the US is impoverished "it cannot undertake all these aggressive acts".

Mahathir, also defended the Palestinians' right to retaliate against the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

Meanwhile Malaysia is leading the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in a bid to seek a special session at the UN General Assembly to stop the escalating violence in Gaza.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Malaysian permanent envoy to the UN will discuss with officials from the 57-member OIC on how best to push for such a session.

"I hope the United States and its allies will not impede efforts to convene the special general assembly," the Bernama national news agency quoted him as saying.

In a separate statement, Abdullah urged the international community not to tolerate Israel's ground offensive which he described as "an act of total war".

The US late on Saturday blocked approval of a UN Security Council statement that called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and expressed serious concern at the escalation of violence, according to council diplomats.

Israel sent troops and tanks into Gaza on Saturday after a week-long aerial bombardment which has left more than 500 Palestinians dead and thousands more wounded so far.

Read Hantu Laut's entry : Gaza:Dirty American,Ruthlessly Cruel Jews And Stupid Arabs

Galadriel's A Palestinian Holocaust?

Najib, Mahathir live on Al Jazeera next week - Malaysiakini

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be appearing separately live on Al Jazeera's Riz Khan show next week, according to Malaysiakini.

Both are expected to talk on the current political situation in Malaysia and the implications of the global economic crisis.

Najib will be making an appearance on 10 pm on Monday, Dec 1, while Mahathir is scheduled to be on air at the same time three days later on Thursday, Dec 4.

Those keen to participate can call in or email questions to Riz’ email (riz@aljazeera.net) or call in live to the show at +1 202 275 2360.

Riz will also be having blogger and ex-Internal Security Act detainee Raja Petra Kamarudin on the show to talk on the ISA, culture and politics. Playwrights Kee Thuan Chye and Jo Kukhatas will appear on the same panel.

This show will air in between the Najib and Mahathir interviews on Wednesday, Dec 3, with a repeat at 10 pm the next day. - Reports from Malaysiakini

Dr M's blog hit two million today

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's blog hit two million today - lest than two months after he started blogging.

Say what you like about our Tun: the allegations that he was a dictator during his premiership, corrupt, and a controversial figure.

One thing's for sure: there are many who are still willing and eager to hear what he has got to say. That tells a lot about the man.

Congratulations Tun! Hope you will continue to pen and share your thoughts with us, the ordinary Malaysians.

Dr M - I have no intention of quitting as Petronas adviser ...

...that is what former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in his reply to the query by the media and commentators in his blog as to whether he would quit as adviser to Petronas now that he is no longer an UMNO member.

"As I have stated before I have no intention of quitting. It is ridiculous if all advisorial appointments subject the appointee to saying only the things that please the Government.

The Government is free to remove me from this position as it sees fit.

I would like to believe it is not exclusive to UMNO members.

Prior to my being adviser, the post was held by Tun Hussein Onn who was appointed by me following his resignation as Prime Minister.

When UMNO was made illegal and UMNO Baru was formed Tun Hussein remained outside the party but this did not affect his position in Petronas. He remained Petronas adviser until he passed away.

Tun Hussein was also ISIS (Institute of Strategic and International Studies) chairman from 1984 until his demise.

On the New Straits Times and the Star front-page reports yesterday on claims by High Court Judge Justice Dato Ian Chin that Dr Mahathir had intefered in the judiciary (read here and here), the Tun wrote that he would respond in due time.

"However, I am quite curious about what Ian Chin considers as `veiled threat'. Perhaps he could be more specific as his allegations are very serious."