Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today denied that he was under the influence of Khairy Jamaluddin in response to accusations that the government was run by his powerful son-in-law.

He argued that Khairy, a rising political stalwart who holds no government position, is no longer his adviser.

"My son-in-law is not my adviser. He used to work for me. As an employee under me, of course, he was involved in providing analyses and opinions on various issues.

"Now, he no longer works with me. He has quit, (as) he knew people were making noises (about him). He has nothing to do with it (advising me) any longer, so why make these accusations?" he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The prime minister also said that while he cannot run away from certain quarters in trying to influence him, he stressed that all government decisions were made by him.

Khairy, 30, joined Abdullah's staff in 1999 as his speech writer. He was later appointed special officer when Abdullah was tapped as deputy prime minister.

In 2001, he married Abdullah's only daughter, Nori.

He resigned as the prime minister's deputy chief private secretary in June 2004. The Oxford graduate is currently Umno Youth deputy chief.

Sometimes it hurts

Abdullah however conceded that he does listen to certain people, including Khairy, especially on issues relating to Umno Youth.

"It's normal, everybody talks to me. Everybody wants to advise the prime minister," he said.

"No prime minister is free from attempts to influence him, including attempts to influence in getting contracts approved," he added.

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in his on-going tirade against Abdullah's administration, has consistently claimed that his predecessor was surrounded by bad advisers, sometimes referring to Khairy, although not by name.

Recently, Mahathir's ex-political secretary Matthias Chang had challenged Abdullah to clear the air on allegations that his son-in-law was the country's de facto prime minister.

Mahathir has been flaying the government over its decision to scrap the half-bridge project, decisions relating to national car manufacturer Proton and the discrepancies in the issuance of Approved Permits.

While claiming it was not personal, the former premier has even remarked that Abdullah was not his first choice and wondered aloud if he made a mistake in naming him as his successor.

His outbursts led to the speculation that Mahathir was trying to destablise Abdullah's position in order to facilitate the rise of his close ally, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Keeping calm

Meanwhile, Abdullah, when asked if he was hurt by the criticisims level against him, he said: "I hear people say all sorts of things. We have feelings too, (and) sometimes we feel sad but I have managed to keep calm."

The prime minister, who is known for his composed demeanour, added that he would not allow such criticisms to affect him to the point that it disrupts his work.

"I have never made decisions to take the properties of others, I have never made decisions to inconvenience others. I have made decisions that I feel are right," he said.

Abdullah, who took over the reins from Mahathir in 2003, noted that not everyone would be satisfied with the decisions made by the government.

"As long as the majority (of the people) know that the work is being done well with good intentions and aims...."