OSAMA'S KILLING REVENGE BY UNITED STATES, SAYS MAHATHIR

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad
has described the killing of Osama bin Laden as revenge by the United States for
the Sept 11 attacks and not a move to combat terrorism in the real sense of the
word.

Osama's death might result in more people getting angry, and there could be
more acts of terrorism, he said when asked to comment on the killing of the Al-Qaeda leader.

"Even if there is a little respite because they have no leader, sooner or
later the angry will act. This is not a way to check terrorism," he said.

Osama was killed in an operation conducted by US special forces in
Abottabad, Pakistan, early on Monday.

"He (Osama) is definitely a criminal, but sending a team to kill him is not
the way to enforce laws. They should have arrested him if it was possible," Dr
Mahathir said.

He said the US action was uncivilised as an unarmed man was killed and his
body was buried at sea.

"It was unlike civilised human beings. Uncivilised people," said the
president of the Perdana Leadership Foundation when approached after he had
presented prizes for the Perdana Leadership Foundation-MPH “Nurturing The Minds
of Future Leaders” Essay Competition 2010, here.

In his speech earlier, Dr Mahathir said the role of followers was equally
important in the election of good leaders where unquestioning loyalty would lead
to followers making the wrong choice.

"Followers must be wise, knowledgeable in distinguishing good leaders.
Picking the wrong leaders will bring about the downfall of a country. You have
to pay a heavy price for your wrong choice," he said.