Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in Parliament today that the government bailout of Renong Bhd had nothing to do with corruption or money politics.

He said the government had to relieve such big companies of their corporate debt in order to rescue the company's employees.

"It is not the tauke (bosses) who will suffer when such companies fail, it is the employees that will be victimised," he told members of Parliament.

Mahathir was responding to a question by DAP MP for Cheras, Dr Tan Seng Giaw, as to whether the bailing out of companies like MAS (Malaysian Airline Systems) or Renong had anything to do with money politics.

Tan had also requested Mahathir to define what corruption and money politics were.

Mahathir said that those who opined that big companies that failed had to be shut down were inspired by western ideas.

"We are helping those in need, doesn't matter who, although we are accused of helping only certain people," he said.

"When the government intervenes in such cases and offer assistance, it does not involve politics but social consideration," he added.

Mahathir also said that big companies fail because of the bad economic situation and not because those who were responsible for the companies were inefficient.

He added that if an American company such as General Motors failed, it would be due to poor market conditions or the American dollar.

Promises made in heaven

Earlier Mahathir took a jibe at PAS by saying that it was easier to handle money politics instead of "promises made in heaven" as laws were already in place to tackle the former.

"What is difficult to curtail is corruption through promises made in heaven whereby those who were asked to support the ones who are not so qualified or popular are promised a place in heaven," he said.

"Those who are involved in this kind of corruption is not only involved in corruption but a very big lie," he added.

He said the only way to curb such corrupt practices is by having a conscience or by fearing God.

He added that no effort has been made by all parties concerned and such corrupt practices are rampant.

PAS MP for Jeli Mohd Apandi Mohamad interjected and questioned why money politics was prevalent during Mahathir's tenure as Umno president.

"These people learnt such practices from PAS. However, they dare not use religion and promise a place in heaven because no one went there and came back to tell. So instead, these people use money," replied Mahathir.