The government is welcome to investigate Barisan Alternatif (BA)Youth leaders for lodging a report against former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub. ( photo )

He said opposition front leaders were merely fulfilling their duty in the public interest and that they would continue to urge the authorities to investigate the ex-premier's alleged wrongdoings.

"If they want to investigate (Parti Keadilan Rakyat Youth chief Mohd) Ezam (Mohd Nor) ( photo ) and me, then go ahead and investigate," Salahuddin said, when contacted today.

He was commenting on Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim's threat yesterday to take legal action against those who have lodged police reports against Mahathir.

Rais, who is also de facto law minister, said that if the reports contained defamatory remarks, the government and the ex-premier should consider legal action against the groups involved.

"It is our duty to do such a thing and it is the duty of Rais himself as a minister to investigate the claims made (in the police report)," said Salahuddin.

Proof available

Salahuddin also said the points raised in the police report were not merely allegations, but could be substantiated if the respective agencies take measures to investigate these.

"They were not mere allegations. It was a police report. Now it is for such agencies such as the police and the Attorney-General's Chambers to take action," he added.

In its 10-point police report last Friday, BA Youth accused Mahathir of stopping or delaying investigations against "Barisan Nasional cronies".

It listed 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 cited were the Perwaja Steel scandal and the botched investment of RM200 million Tabung Haji funds approved by Abdul Hamid Othman, the former minister in the Prime Minister''s Department.

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.

On Oct 25, DAP had lodged a report in Ipoh based on Mahathir's alleged involvement in the Perwaja Steel scandal.