Former prime minister and strong proponent of the Palestinian cause, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, today lashed out at his former deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, for wanting to protect Israel’s security.

Mahathir said he was “disappointed” with the de facto PKR leader, but he was “not surprised”.

“He is close to Israel. His friends are all Jewish... I am not surprised as he is friendly with the members of the US congress and senate who are of Jewish origin,” he told reporters in Putrajaya.

Mahathir, who admitted to having once been "trapped by Anwar's pious appearance" said that proof of the latter's pro-Jew stance was his close relations with the former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz, who is a Jew.

"When Anwar came out of prison he went straight to Munich and had a three-hour discussion with Wolfowitz," he said after speaking in the second instalment of the Razak Lecture Series.

The former PM also denounced Anwar's explanation that he was a proponent of a two-state solution as "an afterthought".

"No, he is supporting Israel's safety and is not thinking of the safety of the Palestinians," Mahathir said of Anwar's interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Agitatedly, he added that the Permatang Pauh MP never spoke of the plight of the Palestinians who faced death every day and the thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails.

'Our name is in the mud in Indonesia'

He also lambasted the opposition leader for changing his tune to win support so he could be in power.

"To the Indians he says he supports Hindraf, to the Chinese he says he will abolish affirmative action and for the Malays, he puts on a pious image," Mahathir said.

He added that Anwar's constant cry that Pakatan Rakyat would take over Putrajaya showed that he was only interested in the prime minister's post, to the extent of badmouthing Malaysia abroad.

"Our name is in the mud in Indonesia because of him... but he forgets that he needs the support of Malaysians to be elected," Mahathir added.


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