Dr M: Blog like me to avoid arrest

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said bloggers should follow his lead and stick to facts if they want to stay on the right side of the law.

“Bloggers should not unnecessarily do things that are not going to benefit anybody. Why use your blog to insult people?” he said, when approached by journalists at an event at i-City in Selangor today.

Mahathir said this is how he has evaded arrest, despite ruffling feathers through his acerbic writings - of which one of the most recent accused the US government of having staging the Sept 11, 2001 attacks.

He was asked to comment on the arrest of blogger ‘Aduka Taruna’ who has been hauled up by police for insulting the late Sultan of Johor.

A prolific blogger, Mahathir said he only writes about matters which have “basis in truth”, and that he is prepared to defend everything that he has said in a court of law.

“I don’t think they will arrest me just yet…Have I done anything wrong? This is for a judge to decide,” he said, refuting claims that he is ‘immune’ from arrest as he is a prominent public figure.

Mahathir further defended his comments about 9/11 by saying that it is based on a presentation made by “white Americans (who are) most likely Christians”, and not “angry Muslims”.

Responding to another question about criticism of Malaysia’s royalty, Mahathir said he still holds the view that they should not be accorded special privileges.

In this respect, he said he has been luckier (compared to the current government) in handling the royalty, because he had strong support when he masterminded the removal of their immunity from criminal and civil proceedings in 1993.

“When I do something, people know this is what the rakyat wants…Even the sultans (had) to take notice that they (were) dealing with a government who (had) the support of the people,” he said.

On Petronas CEO

Mahathir, who is Petronas adviser, said the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the national oil and gas company should be appointed from within.

He said it is important to have continuity in the company, and to prevent resentment from those who have risen in the ranks.

“The three shortlisted for the post are from Petronas, and this means they know the company,” he said.

Promoting from within also means that the person would have established contacts in the oil and gas industry worldwide.

Mahathir said incumbent Petronas president and CEO Mohd Hassan Marican is not likely to have his contract renewed as “he has reached retirement age”.

“He has been there for a long time. One has to retire, even if you are very good,” he added.

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