Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has told the police to go ahead and arrest him for attending the Bersih 4 rally.

"That's their right. Tangkaplah (Just arrest me). What's there to cooperate with," Mahathir told reporters outside the Subang Airport today.

"I read about it in the newspapers. Of course I will go. If the police call you for an investigation you must go. That is the way of life here in Malaysia," he told reporters outside the Subang Airport today.

Mahathir ( photo ) added that the allegation he made during the protest that Umno division leaders had been bribed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is true.

"That's what I know. I know they will bribe. Don't bluff. Don't lie," he said.

Mahathir arrived at the Subang Airport at 11.15am, after a trip to the Czech Republic.

He was greeted by some 100 supporters, who even sang along to the rendition of "We are the world", a song recorded by the group USA for Africa in 1985, with the chorus changed to "We are Malaysia, we are the rakyat".

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has said that Mahathir is being investigated for criminal defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code.

However, Khalid indicated that the police might "go soft" on the 90-year-old as he is a statesman.

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