Dr M's dagger out for 'little emperor'

Their animosity is legendary. And although the two are just over a decade shy of turning a century old, their skills have not diminished with age.

For eight days, Singapore's former premier and current minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew has been touring Malaysia, meeting leaders from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

But he has not met with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who made it very clear that he too was not keen in meeting Lee.

In his latest posting, the 84-year-old former Malaysian premier unleashes a series of blows against the 85-year-old "Little Emperor from the tiny Middle Kingdom."

Delving into history, Mahathir said ancient China once considered itself the centre of the world and called itself the Middle Kingdom.

"And well it should. It was far more advanced in every way than Europe of the Dark Ages. Maybe China is thinking of making a comeback," he said.

"But we already have a new Middle Kingdom now. During Lee's triumphant visit to Malaysia he made it known to the Malaysian supplicants that Singapore regards the lands within 6,000 miles radius of Singapore as its hinterland. This includes Beijing and Tokyo and of course Malaysia.

"Of course this self-deluding perception places Singapore at the centre of a vast region. It is therefore the latter day Middle Kingdom. The rest are peripheral and are there to serve the interest of this somewhat tiny Middle Kingdom," he added.

On the 'Iskandar whatever'

Finding an avenue to slot in a blow for his successor-turned-nemesis-turned former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Mahathir said Lee had also explained that the fear Singapore Chinese would control the "Iskandar whatever" was not justified.

The 'Iskandar whatever' is the Iskandar Development Region in Johor which is the brainchild of Abdullah who retired in April much to Mahathir's joy.

Oozing with sarcasm, the former premier continued: "Malays can also work there. It is good to know that Malays can also work in their own country. I wonder as what?"

"Maybe someone should make a study of the Malays of Singapore just to know what it is like to be a Malay minority in their own country," he added.

As for the 3 sen per 1000 gallons of raw water supplied to Singapore, Mahathir said Lee had argued that it was absurd for the former prime minister (Mahathir) of "hinterland Malaysia' to ask to increase it to RM8 per 1000 gallons.

"I don't know where he got this. Some Malaysian officers did suggest this figure but we were ready to bargain and maybe settle for RM3.

"And why not? Johor sells raw water to Melaka for 30 sen, 1000 percent higher than to Singapore. And Melaka is, I believe, a part of Malaysia! Some Malaysians may see the irony of this," he added.

'Great 5th prime minister'

Delivering another jab for Abdullah, Mahathir said "the great fifth prime minister" decided that since the people of Johor did not want to sell sand to Singapore, Malaysia would not build any bridge, straight or crooked, or negotiate and settle the other issues like the Central Provident Fund or the railway land.

"Maybe the fifth prime minister thought he was punishing Singapore. Actually, he was giving Singapore what it wanted, including the 3 sen per 1000 gallons water until 2060.

"Think of how many grains of nasi lemak we can buy with 3 sen in 2060. Imagine what 1,000 gallons will earn for Singapore at that time. Can't think of a more astute PM for Malaysia," he added.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said all those who met the "great man from the little country" were lectured on how Malaysia should be run.

"We should not have anymore problems now. We have been told the direction to take. MCA must help Umno to win because Singapore does not want an Islamic party like PAS to win. We must ensure this.

"Sorry PAS. Working with DAP, the offspring of PAP has not endeared you to Mr Lee," he added.

"I have a lot more to say about this little emperor but I will reserve it for later," he concluded his posting.