Lim Ah Lek, once an MCA deputy president, said in a press interview that politicians should stay out of the action after they’ve retired.
A former Cabinet minister in Mahathir’s government, Lim pointed to the restrained behaviors of former US presidents once out of office.
“Can you imagine the large number of ex-US presidents issuing daily press statements or blogging away in social media to attack the serving president? I don’t hear or read anything of that sort. Even when they write their memoir or when they give lectures, they are courteous and civil. Perhaps we should learn from them,” he said in an interview with Wong Chun Wai, chief executive of The Star.
He said he believed that retired politicians should build bridges and be a force of unity, using their vast experience and network of contacts.
“There is no reason to be personal too, especially by launching attacks on spouses and children. Let’s draw the lines,” he said
Lim reminded former government members turned critics of their own skeletons in the cupboard.
“We have had our time. Let’s move on and be graceful party elders or statesmen. We are no longer active, so let’s leave it to the active politicians,” he said.
He said Dr Ling should focus on Utar (Universiti Tun Abdul Rahman, where he is chairman) which needs a hospital for its medical faculty.
He noted that Malaysians had high regard for Dr Mahathir “but he must also know how to restrain himself. He has done his part, made his point and must now just leave it to the active players.”
Lim’s interview, published in the Sunday Star, came as part of the paper’s review of Najib’s 40 years in politics.
He made it a point to state that he had no intention of becoming embroiled in current controversies.
Dr Mahathir has led a year-long campaign to oust Najib as Umno president and prime minister, while Dr Ling has been sued for defamation after alleging that Najib had taken money belonging to the government’s investment arm 1Malaysia Development Bhd. Another former minister, Rafidah Aziz, has also been in the forefront of criticisms of Najib’s government through frequent online postings.