Dr M probed for 'activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy'

Police have questioned former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad under Section 124B of the Penal Code for alleged activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

Mahathir’s lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali described the questioning as “intimidation” and said the probe was on reports lodged against the two-time prime minister’s brainchild - the “Malay Proclamation”.

“We were informed that six police reports were lodged on this matter against Mahathir (above) and the Malay Proclamation.

“Discussing what is in the (Federal) Constitution, the rights of the Malays are constitutionally protected and provided for. It’s a form of freedom of expression and freedom of speech, as long as it does not go against the rule of law.

“This is simply police intimidation against Mahathir,” Rafique told Malaysiakini.

Rafique said he accompanied Mahathir as the latter gave a statement to four officers from Bukit Aman’s Classified Crime Investigation Unit at Yayasan Albukhary at around 10.40am this morning.

The questioning ended at around 11.10am, he added.

In a statement later, police secretary Noorsiah Saaduddin confirmed the police recorded Mahathir’s statement this morning, but not just regarding the Malay Proclamation.

“Investigations are conducted regarding Mahathir’s statements that contain elements of contempt towards the royal institution and the Malay Proclamation. Investigations are ongoing,” she said.

Questioned about a video

Rafique said Mahathir was questioned about a video purportedly showing the 97-year-old speaking at a private function.

In the video, Mahathir allegedly made a remark that the Malays cannot rely on the Malay rulers to protect them.

The former Umno president claimed the Malay rulers had “surrendered and signed their states away” during the British colonial times to remain in power and for the “raja” title.

He also purportedly divulged that he has no respect for the rulers.

Earlier, Rafique said Mahathir provided full cooperation with the police investigation.

“He made his stance very clear – he will answer any, if at all, charges in the court of law. He was very specific on that.”

The Malay Proclamation is Mahathir’s latest initiative which aimed to “unite and save the Malay community”.

He said the proclamation was an awareness campaign for the Malay masses to inform them that they had ostensibly “lost power”.

This is not the first time the former Langkawi MP has been quizzed by the police.

Mahathir was questioned numerous times from 2015 to 2017, during former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s tenure, over several allegations, which include claims that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and other rulers were “placed under house arrest” and allegations that Najib was descended from “Bugis pirates”.

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