Malaysians should not be distracted by the on-going verbal battle between former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Anwar Ibrahim said today.

He said the people should instead put priority on the reformation agenda to redress the country's 'sluggish' economic growth and strengthen the institutions of the civil society and governance.

"I strongly urge Malaysians not to be unduly distracted by these battles between the prime minister and Dr Mahathir. We need to focus our attention on the need for reform.

"The country's economic growth tends to be sluggish because we lacked the direction and the necessary push. We don't seem to be an attractive destination for foreign investments. This, to me, are issues of priority," he said.

However, this does not mean that Abdullah can continue to ignore Mahathir's criticisms which until now have remained unanswered, he said at a press conference at his home in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

"These issues must be put in perspective. Of course, this does not mean that there is no need to explain on other issues.

"A government leader cannot say I'm not going to talk about corruption, I'm not going to talk about what Dr Mahathir says because I am focusing on economic development. And at the same time the economy is not developing."

Anwar was commenting on the row between Mahathir and Abdullah, the latter who is now being defended by his cabinet ministers including Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz who said he has 'declared war' on the former premier.

Merely curious

The war of words between the two prominent figures started when Mahathir accused Abdullah of breaking his promises and damaging the country by rolling back earlier economic initiatives.

Among the allegations made by Mahathir are abuse of the Approved Permits (APs) scheme and the selling of motorbike firm Agusta by national car manufacturer Proton for RM4.5 to a two-euro shell Italian company.

Anwar himself was Mahathir's heir apparent until he was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998 for alleged sexual misconduct. Mahathir subsequently appointed Abdullah as his deputy.

On a related matter, Anwar disagreed that the interest portrayed by several PAS top leaders towards Mahathir - as seen during a talk by the former premier last weekend - meant that the opposition had been distracted from their reform agenda.

"I had a meeting with leaders of PAS and DAP a few days ago. The general consensus is that it is not our contention to be involved in the controversy between Dr Mahathir and the prime minister."

He said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had explained to him that PAS leaders - including deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, vice-president Husam Musa and youth chief Salahuddin Ayub - had attended the talk as they were merely curious to hear Mahathir's take on the current government.

He added that although he respected these leaders' right to attend the function, it was not necessary for them to associate themselves with the former leader.

"They were curious, they wanted to see how he (Mahathir) lambasted Umno leaders and they rejoiced to that fact, but at the same time I don't think that it is necessary because if you look at our reform agenda and (Mahathir's) criticisms, there is a strong difference."

'Not imprisoned'

He said unlike the opposition, Mahathir's criticisms against Abdullah were more personal in nature.

"The issues raised by him are not for the reform agenda. Issues raised are peculiar to his personal interest with regards to some of the projects which he had expected to be continued without question by the present administration.

"Our interest is that all projects that benefit the people must be supported, but projects, mega or otherwise, that would not benefit the public must be shelved or cancelled," he said.

When asked if there was any parallel between the way the government was treating Mahathir and the treatment he received at the time of his sacking, Anwar said there were little similarities.

"I think his (Mahathir's situation) is very minor. Of course, he is alleging that the media and the government are demonising him [...] but he's not accused of all the things that I had been accused of. Certainly not assaulted and imprisoned."

Anwar reiterated his stand that Mahathir should be allowed to express his views against the government and the government should allow the media freedom to report all the criticisms.

"I would still respect his right to express himself and I do not share the policy of denying him his right to express and for the media to report accordingly. I think the policy to black out any of his statements (from the media) is not wise. It makes a mockery of the government system.

"Some may argue that it was the system that he (Mahathir) introduced. But the system is flawed, unjust, undemocratic and I believe we should not be equally vicious and repressive."

Frightened leaders

Anwar said he believed the entire episode showed that Umno was indeed in turmoil but he did not want to speculate on whether it would lead to a leadership crisis in the near future.

"I frankly don't know because my contacts in the party (Umno) are among the grassroots leaders. And they, too, are disillusioned with the way things are going."

He said he still communicate with the grassroots - whom he said have openly came to his home for meetings - because he did not want to give the wrong impression that he was at war against the party (Umno) and the members.

"My problem is only with one or two leaders in Umno. Of course, these few (corrupt) leaders are fearful (of me). Sebut nak masuk Umno pun dia dah pengsan (Even talk of me returning to Umno and they faint)."

Anwar, however, dismissed any possibility of re-joining Umno stating that he was committed to PKR, the opposition coalition and their reform agenda.