Declining to answer questions, Dr M says up to cops to arrest him
(Malay Mail Online) – Visited today by three officials from Bukit Aman over his recent criticisms of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he declined to answer the questions posed and would leave his possible arrest up to the police.
The retired prime minister said the interview at his office in the Al-Bukhary Foundation building here lasted about 40 minutes, and added that he did not “censor” himself while replying to the police.
“They asked questions, I said I will not answer. I don’t censor anything.
“It’s up to them. I don’t know,” the 90-year-old replied to reporters after being asked if he had been told he may be arrested.
He said he was not told what law he was being investigated under and the police had the discretion to take action against him.
But when asked if he was thinking of resigning from Umno after this incident, Dr Mahathir said, “No”.
Dr Mahathir was represented by Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla and two other lawyers, all of whom were present today but did not disclose any details about the session.
Haniff noted, however, that the longest-serving prime minister was not questioned specifically for his involvement in the Bersih 4 rally, but over several incidents.
“Not only one occasion, (a) few occasions, but generally speaking. More than that, I can’t comment on the specifics,” he said when met outside the Al Bukhary Foundation building.
“Some questions he was advised not to answer by his counsel and Tun kept it simple. It went very well,” he added.
Haniff also said that Dr Mahathir will fully cooperate with the police, but added that he does not expect the authorities will need to meet the former prime minister a second time.
The other two lawyers representing Dr Mahathir were Fahmi Abdullah Moin and Mohammad Akmal Afiq Mohammad.
Police reports were lodged against Dr Mahathir over remarks he made at a press conference during the Bersih 4 rally on August 29 and 30, during which he repeated his demand for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s resignation.
Among others, he had alleged that several Umno leaders would not criticise the Najib administration over current controversies due to being corrupt.
On October 22, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said in Parliament that the police are conducting three investigations into Dr Mahathir’s criticism towards Putrajaya and Najib.
One of the investigations was concluded and sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for evaluation, the deputy prime minister and home minister said in a written reply.
The Inspector-General of Police has previously said Dr Mahathir would be investigated after he allegedly accused Umno leaders of corruption.
Dr Mahathir has said, however, that the police should arrest him if they deemed it necessary.
