Dr Mahathir Mohamad has for the first time dragged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law into his dispute with the government.

Mahathir made a number of obvious references to Khairy Jamaluddin, 31, who is also deputy Umno Youth chief, at a public lecture today.

"Sometimes we go over (to Singapore) to play golf and pat each other on the back over every little thing, then send the son-in-law...," he said without finishing his sentence as a roar of laughter reverberated in the packed ballroom of Hulu Kelang's Century Paradise Club.

The lecture - Dialogue with TDM (Tun Dr Mahathir) - was jointly organised by former Umno politician Ibrahim Ali and online news portal Malaysia Today.

Among the audience were former deputy home minister Megat Junid Megat Ayub, former New Straits Times editor-in-chief A Kadir Jasin and top PAS leaders - Nasharuddin Mat Isa, Husam Musa, Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayub.

Later on, during the question-and-answer session, Mahathir lamented that Khazanah Nasional, the government investment arm, had strayed from its original mission.

"Now, I hear that (Khazanah) has gotten the services of certain 'experts'. These 'experts' would give advice as to how to do business [...] These people have experience and education, such as degrees from Oxford University

"So these 'experts' are placed on the fourth floor [...] They seem to be more powerful than the fifth floor (Abdullah's office)," said Mahathir, again bringing the audience to stitches.

According to DAP leader Ronnie Liu, who was part of the 500-strong crowd, Mahathir was alluding to Khairy - who has been accused of meddling in government affairs - planting his 'friends' in the Prime Minister's Department.

Because they're brilliant

Married to Abdullah's only daughter Nori, Khairy was once touted as the country's most powerful young leader. The Oxford graduate is also a close friend of New Straits Times group deputy chairman Kalimullah Hassan.

In 2004, there were speculations that Khairy would be appointed the chief operating officer of Khazanah.

Instead, he joined investment bank ECM Libra - a company owned by Kalimullah - as a director. Late last year, it was reported that Khairy had bought RM9.2 million worth of shares in the company.

With economic and political clout, Khairy quickly rose unopposed as No 2 in Umno's Youth wing two years ago, much to the uneasiness among a sizeable portion of Umno grassroots, who attributes the leap-frogging to nepotism.

Mahathir's assertion that Khairy had put a spell on Abdullah's administration was reiterated again when a reporter asked why the country seemed to be under the influence of young and untested leaders.

"That's because they are brilliant," Mahathir sarcasticly retorted at the post-lecture press conference.

'Saya sokong' culture

At today's lecture, Mahathir conceded that the praises and support he received in the past as prime minister were not always sincere.

"Every time I criticise them (the government) a little bit, you will see a small picture (of leaders in the newspaper) captioned, 'Kami sokong, kami sokong' (We support). It looks like a chorus line. They all act in unison," said Mahathir with his trademark wit.

In two weeks since Mahathir launched a blistering attack against Abdullah, almost all government leaders have rallied behind the prime minister.

"I used to receive that kind of 'support' there are those who would kiss my hand only now do I know that the 'support' was not that of quality

"Let me quote the story of Hang Tuah: Whenever the King gives an order, Hang Tuah and his brethrens would say, 'mana titah, patih junjung' (I will obey your bidding) [...] that is why Hang Tuah killed his friends. He was too loyal

"Even during the (first prime minister) Tunku (Abdul Rahman)'s time, I was not very loyal person. I am loyal only to what you do, not what you are. Do the wrong thing and I won't support," he added.

During the course of his one-hour lecture, Mahathir repeated the phrase 'kami sokong' numerous times.