Zahid attempting to delay defamation trial via contempt bid: Dr M

Summary

• Dr Mahathir Mohamad files affidavit to oppose Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s contempt of court bid against the former prime minister.

• The ex-Langkawi MP claims that his Dec 5, 2024, press conference did not amount to an attack on the judiciary and merely explained his court testimony against Zahid.

• Mahathir has an ongoing defamation suit trial against Zahid over the alleged existence of an identity card bearing the name “Mahathir anak lelaki Iskandar Kutty”.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad contends that the contempt of court application against him by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is an attempt to delay the trial of the former premier’s defamation suit against the deputy prime minister.

In his affidavit to oppose the committal bid, the two-time former prime minister pointed out that his press conference on Dec 5 last year did not amount to attacking the judiciary.

Mahathir claimed that his words during the presser merely explained his court testimony against Zahid.

“The defendant’s application for committal is malicious and only to delay the court trial proceedings,” the former Langkawi MP contended in the affidavit filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Feb 3.

Committal proceedings are carried out over alleged actions or statements that could potentially disrupt the fair trial of ongoing court cases.

On Jan 7, the High Court granted leave to Zahid to commence the contempt proceedings, paving the way for the hearing of arguments from both opposing legal teams on whether Mahathir ought to be found liable for contempt.

The 99-year-old may be jailed or fined if found liable.

‘Kutty’ IC

Mahathir’s defamation suit against Zahid was over the alleged existence of an identity card (IC) bearing the name “Mahathir anak lelaki Iskandar Kutty”.

In his lawsuit, Mahathir claimed that Zahid’s 2017 remark on the alleged IC was defamatory as it was a political manoeuvre that was vicious, malicious, a bad bluff, and a lie.

The 99-year-old claimed that the allegation was meant to undermine the plaintiff as a then-opposition figure in the lead-up to the 14th general election in 2018. Mahathir clinched the Langkawi parliamentary seat that year for a single term.

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

Mahathir claimed Zahid had shown an alleged copy of the “Kutty” IC via a smartphone screen.

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

The 72-year-old claimed the name on the IC referred to an individual based on an old copy of an identity document.

Zahid also claimed he had no control over subsequent videos published on media platforms, which referred to his statement.

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

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