Youth leaders of the opposition Barisan Alternatif today submitted a litany of complaints to the police on alleged wrongdoings by former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his 22-year tenure in office.

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub and Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor lodged their report at the Dang Wangi police station on Jalan Campbell accompanied some 60 reformasi supporters.

Other BA leaders present included Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua and PAS vice-youth chief Idris Ahmad.

Anticipating a large turnout, some 40 plainclothes and uniformed police personnel stood guard in the compound of the Dang Wangi station.

The police station compound was also sealed off to all press and supporters except for the two leaders making the report.

However, the event took place without incident except for a near scuffle when police personnel rushed out of the station to warn gatherers against singing reformasi songs.

Unresolved cases

"We have lodged a report against Tun Mahathir for the wrongdoings, embezzlement and abuse of power that he committed during his tenure as prime minister," said Salahuddin after completing the task.

"We are asking the police to investigate and take action on some 70 cases which are still unresolved."

Mohd Ezam added that the same report would be lodged in all 15 states and federal territories in the country.

A copy would also be sent to the Anti-Corruption Agency so that action could be taken against Mahathir, he said.

The crowd dispersed shortly after the report was lodged due to heavy rain.

According to the 10-point report, some of the alleged crimes of Mahathir included his role in stopping or delaying investigations against "Barisan Nasional cronies".

The report listed cases such as the stalled investigations into the alleged abuse of power and corruption by International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz and former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik.

Two other prominent cases listed are the Perwaja Steel scandal and the botched investment of RM200 million Tabung Haji funds approved by former minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Hamid Othman.

The BA leaders also accused Mahathir of abusing laws such as the Internal Security Act, Official Secrets Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act to stifle dissent.

One example listed is the case of Ezam who has been found guilty under the OSA for revealing documents relating to the Rafidah and Rahim Thamby Chik cases. He is currently facing a two-year suspended sentence pending his appeal.

Interfered in police probes

On wider issues, the opposition leaders said Mahathir is also guilty of eroding the independence of enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

They named as examples Mahathir's role in the sacking of former Lord President Salleh Abas and the corruption and sodomy charges against former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The former premier was also accused of interfering in police and ACA investigations as well as dictating the actions of the Election Commission.

Finally, Salahuddin and Mohd Ezam said Mahathir had also acted against the interests of Muslims and Malays in the country.

They said he insulted the religion by allowing writers to desecrate the religion and belittling the Sekolah Agama Rakyat (religious school) institution.

Mahathir is also criticised for eroding Malay and bumiputera special rights by bring back English instruction into the education system and the closing of religious schools.

After holding the top political post in the country for more than two decades, Mahathir retired today - true to his promise made last year - to make way for his chosen successor, new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Abdullah was sworn in as the country's fifth prime minister at about 3pm before King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur.

The new premier had listed among his priorities moves to battle the spread of corruption in the country. He has also announced that he would continue with Mahathir's policies upon assuming office.