KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the most competent in the world, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today in a sarcastic jibe aimed at the former prime minister.

The home minister was responding to Dr Mahathir's criticism that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's government comprised politicians who were good but not smart in administrative matters.

"I agree as Dr Mahathir is the most competent (cekap) person in the world. This is what I agree with," he told reporters after closing the Retired Senior Police Officers Association (Respa) annual general meeting at the Police Academy here on Tuesday.

A news portal reported Dr Mahathir as saying that Anwar's cabinet had many good politicians, but they were less efficient in administration, with many of them not having enough experience in governance.

The former prime minister said that members of Anwar's government could not translate their popularity towards forming a cohesive yet effective administration.

"The cabinet does not include good administrators.

"They are good politicians, but not good administrators. So, they are not leading the country (well)," he said in a special interview with FMT.

He described Anwar himself as too focused on political survival.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/1068213/saifuddin-aims-sarcastic-jibe-dr-m-over-criticism-cabinet