In his interview with The Star newspaper, Dr Mahathir Mohamad recalled that his most difficult decision in his years as prime minister was to sack Anwar Ibrahim. He said that Anwar was his friend!

Most Malaysians in 1998, I believe, could recall indelibly how Mahathir had treated his friend Anwar by turning him into the country's most wanted criminal based on a myriad of accusations which were in the affidavits published by the local newspapers not long after Anwar was unceremoniously sacked. Anwar was depicted as a incorrigible Western rogue, a womaniser and a heinous traitor to the nation.

Anwar was not only removed from his cabinet post but he was not even considered fit to be an Umno member even before he was found guilty of any 'trumped-up' charges. We should take the cue from Mahathir on how to treat a friend!

The whole world watched in horror when Anwar's house was broken into by 'masked gunmen' from the army's special squad. Anwar's fate, for a few anxious days, was not known until he appeared with his infamous 'black eye'. Yet, Mahathir had the gumption to tell the world that Anwar, his friend, had given himself a black eye to gain sympathy from the world. Is this what you should say to a friend?

It was still fresh in my memory when Mahathir announced to the world that he was privy to the information on Anwar's wrongdoing. But why didn't Mahathir offer inconvertible proof of such wrongdoings? I would be the first person, without any shred of hesitation, who will condemn Anwar if it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty.

I will always remember Mahathir as the one who deprived Malaysia of the outstanding leadership of Anwar. Anwar, who is respected by both the East and West, has shown to be incorruptible, honest and steadfast to his principles. But such a man does not even deserved to be given the bail by the courts.

Hussein Onn (God bless him, Tun Razak and Tunku too), a true statesmen to the last, had once stated that he would not want people to urinate on his grave. We earnestly hope that nobody would ever do that on Mahathir's grave.

I wish Mahathir well in his retirement. I would prefer him to learn Arabic rather than French. Perhaps he would have time to ponder on what was written by politician and writer Edmund Burke - "We are nearer to death, but are we nearer to God?"

I am also looking forward to watch the local television channels, especially the news, more regularly after Mahathir's departure. But will Mahathir really quit?