Mahathir questioned by police over Malay Proclamation campaign, says lawyer
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad told the police that he is ready to answer all allegations in court, said his lawyer.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
Follow topic:
PETALING JAYA - Malaysia’s federal police questioned former premier Mahathir Mohamad on Friday afternoon for activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy over the Malay Proclamation campaign, said his lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali.
According to Mr Rafique, Tun Dr Mahathir told the police he was ready to answer all allegations in court.
“Dr Mahathir said he is ready to be charged in court, and he will answer queries there,” Mr Rafique said in a video posted on Facebook.
The lawyer, who earlier accompanied Dr Mahathir at the Albukhary Foundation, also said it was peculiar that the nonagenarian was investigated under Section 124(b) of the Penal Code for carrying out activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
“Is it against the law to speak about Malay issues?” questioned Mr Rafique.
Section 124(b) of the Penal Code carries a punishment of up to 20 years in jail.
Police secretary Norsiah Mohd Saaduddin confirmed that the former premier was questioned on Friday.
She said that Dr Mahathir had his statement recorded by the Bukit Aman Special Investigation Unit at the Albukhary Foundation in Kuala Lumpur.
“Investigations are ongoing,” she said.
The Malay Proclamation campaign by Dr Mahathir is to unite Malays, and it lists 12 key issues faced by the community.
Several leaders have signed the Malay Proclamation, namely Parti Islam SeMalaysia president Abdul Hadi Awang, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Bersatu information chief Razali Idris. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
