Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today chided certain quarters who claimed that charges against the Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were politically motivated.

Mahathir challenged them to show proof that the government has made up the 45 charges against the former deputy prime minister.

"Show us the proof saying that he (Zahid) is innocent and that we made up the 45 charges against him. Support your proof with documents, then only you can accuse of taking revenge," he said during a program organised by Sinar Harian at its headquarters in Shah Alam.

Mahathir stressed that the charges were prepared by the attorney-general (Tommy Thomas) and they came with evidence.

"The attorney-general is not a politician. He's an outsider. He cannot charge unless there is evidence and they must be accepted in court.

"If no (strong) evidence, lawyers such as (Muhammad) Shafee (Abdullah) could always win," he said.

Asked if he is vengeful, Mahathir said if he was as claimed, he would not have worked with those who were against him in the past.

"If I were vengeful, I couldn't cooperate with many people. I have worked with those who called me Maha Zalim, Maha Firaun," he added.

'No intention of seeking revenge' 

Mahathir said the government has no intention of seeking revenge against any party.

"But if a person commits something that is against the law, the law must be enforced. We have promised to have the rule of law."

Asked to comment on Umno, Mahathir said: "Umno which I led in the past held on to the fight for religion, race and country. (Now) Umno's fight is to retain Najib as the biggest thief. Umno is no more."

Mahathir questioned the leaders in Umno who did not follow the footsteps of the likes of former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal who left the party.

"We showed them that their leader was wrong. Muhyiddin left, Shafie left... why didn't you leave?" he asked.