Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should learn crisis management from his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamed, said former Finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

As Peninsular Malaysia suffered massive floods disaster during the end of last year, Daim (right) said Mahathir was the best leading example in handling such crisis and Najib should have referred to him.

In an exclusive interview with China Press published today, Daim said that he had met with Najib recently and had urged the latter to perform better in managing the flood disaster.

“I said, in terms of crisis management, you (Najib) need to be more efficient. Mahathir had a good performance in handling crisis and you should learn from him,” he said.

Citing the recent flood disasters which hit several states and displaced thousands, he said that other countries would had declared an emergency as there were many casualties and other impacts.

Najib, however, did not declare an emergency during the period.

However, he stressed that it was not to say that Najib had failed but he should show his leadership in crisis management.

Daim said that in that context, Mahathir’s performance was the best so far.

People still priority for Najib

He pointed out that Najib did return from abroad during the floods and that showed the people were still his priority.

When floods struck the east coast, Najib was heavily criticised for being on vacation and golfing with US President Barack Obama at Hawaii.

Najib had to shorten his trip and flew back to oversee the disaster relief programmes.

The PM had nevertheless defended his “golf diplomacy” as well as his not declaring an  emergency.

Still safe within Umno

By calling Najib to show his leadership, Daim said that his position within Umno was still ‘very safe’.

He noted that normally Umno would not chase away its own leader.

“Yes, Najib still safe within the party,” he added.

He said that Najib, in his initial years, had announced several measures in order to push the country to a new high but such announcements were less beneficial politically.

In principle, he said that a leader should think twice before pursuing any major policies.

The purpose, according to Daim, must be stated clearly and the execution must be full of determination.

“When facing criticism, do not blink (hesitate) or change direction, or else it is deadly because you are admitting there are mistakes in the process of thinking, expressing and executing the respective idea.

“I don’t know whether the prime minister had exhausted his quota, but there were some flip-flops in several policies,” he added.

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