Kota Baru: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said he had evidence to show that former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tried to topple Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister.

He said the problem had indirectly resulted in the creation of "several groups" in Cabinet and Umno itself and the situation, if unresolved, would worsen during the next general election.

He said he had earlier made the allegation against Dr Mahathir, but the latter had never denied it, and in fact, several statements by Dr Mahathir published in Singapore Straits Times previously clearly showed that Dr Mahathir wanted Abdullah's downfall.

"Till today, I am still waiting for Tun's denial to my statement, whether it's true that he wants to topple Pak Lah. But so far, I have not received any. I read all the newspapers daily but Tun has not denied it," he told a news conference after visiting the Komples Mahkamah here.

On the other hand, Nazri explained, Dr Mahathir was only reported to have said that he could not afford to do it alone as overthrowing the Prime Minister was a heavy task, as the job could only be carried out by Umno members themselves.

"What's his motive, if not tarnishing the Prime Minister's image and I personally would like to hear from Tun himself that Nazri is lying about him (Dr Mahathir) wanting to topple Pak Lah. I don't have a problem with exposing it (providing the evidence)," he said.

However, Nazri reiterated that he had never said that Dr Mahathir actually wanted to wrest control of power as he was confident that the former premier had no such intention.

"I am not stupid to say such a thing," he said.

He said his "Dr Mahathir-bashing" did not mean that he had lost his feelings of respect and care for the former Premier, but because he loved the party more.

"I actually care for Tun because of many fond memories that we shared, but for the sake of the party, I am compelled to defend the Government, because as a representative of the people, I have a duty to do, for the people and the nation," he said.

He said for the party's future, it would be better for the former Premier to accept the fact that the Government's decision on several matters which he had raised, were in the interest of the people.

He said the Government had no intention of hurting Dr Mahathir's feelings when it scrapped the project to build a bridge to Singapore, as the decision was purely made for the people.

"But how could we allow Tun who had been in power for 22 years (as Prime Minister) do whatever he could to destroy the party that we care for.

"I can slow down but the advice should also be directed at Tun to stop it (his incessant criticisms against the Government) and give Pak Lah a chance to steer the nation," he said.

Meanwhile in KUALA TERENGGANU, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the differing views among Umno leadership on Dr Mahathir's criticisms against the Abdullah administration, did not signal the beginning of a rift among them.

He said the support of party leaders and Cabinet members for Abdullah should not be purely based on their "loud voices" on the issue.

"But I believe all Umno leaders and Menteris Besar are solidly behind the Prime Minister. The only difference is in terms of support and the views given," he said.

He was confident that there was no split among Umno leadership or Cabinet members, except that there was a difference in the way their views were presented.