Nobody would mind if I was roadside kacang putih seller: Dr M

Dr Mahathir Mohamad testified that he would not have sued Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for defamation if the former was a mere kacang putih seller by the roadside.

However, the ex-premier pointed out that he filed the civil action as he was the chairperson of Bersatu and had a responsibility to the political party and country.

The former Bersatu leader was testifying in the civil court hearing of his suit over the allegation of the existence of an identity card bearing the name “Mahathir anak lelaki Iskandar Kutty”.

In his testimony before the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Mahathir claimed that Zahid’s 2017 remark over the alleged identity card was defamatory as it was a political manoeuvre which was vicious, malicious, a bad bluff, and a lie.

“If I sell kacang putih by the roadside, nobody would mind, but I was a leader of a party, and I have a responsibility to my party and the country,” the plaintiff told judicial commissioner Gan Techiong.

During cross-examination by Zahid’s counsel, Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman, Mahathir said the defendant’s statement was meant to undermine the plaintiff as a then opposition figure in the lead-up to the 14th general election in 2018.

“In politics, there are ways to undermine the opposition, whether personal or you go into his background or charge him (in court) for a crime.

“In this case, he (Zahid) tried to undermine my reputation by saying my name as not being my name, implying that I used to be a non-Muslim (who later converted to Islam), and intended to undermine the trust of the people in me, (which is) a vicious intention,” the 99-year-old said.

2017 speech

Hearing before Gan continues this afternoon and tomorrow.

In his statement of defence, then-home minister Zahid denied that his remark in 2017 was malicious, slanderous, or harmed Mahathir’s public reputation.

Zahid claimed the name on the IC referred to an individual based on an old copy of an identity document.

The 71-year-old also claimed he had no control over subsequent videos published on media platforms, which referred to his statement.

Filed two years ago, Mahathir’s civil action targeted Zahid’s speech at the Kelana Jaya Umno party division meeting on July 30, 2017.

The former Langkawi MP claimed Zahid had shown an alleged copy of the “Kutty” identity card via a smartphone screen.

The plaintiff alleged the remark implied he exploited the Malays for political and personal gain.

Dr M warded at IJN, defamation suit hearing against Zahid deferred

Dr M admits to tit-for-tat lawsuit against Zahid

Mahathir: I'm Malay, but not ashamed of Indian ancestry

'Kutty' suit: Politicians lie when opportunity arises, says Dr M

Zahid lied, nobody referred to my name as 'Kutty' - Dr M tells court

'Kutty' defamation suit: Dr M to testify against Zahid next week