Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was willing to testify at Dr Ling Liong Sik’s trial, where he is accused of cheating the cabinet in 2002, should he be called as a witness.

“If (a person is) required to testify in court, he must do so... cannot say ‘I don’t want’,” said Mahathir told reporters after the launch fo the Yayasan Universiti Petronas in Kuala Lumpur today.

However, when asked if he felt that his 2002 cabinet had been misled by Ling over the price for the government’s purchase of land for the Port Klang Free Zone, as stated on the charge sheet, Mahathir said he could not confirm this.

"I don't know if he has misled the cabinet or not. He has only been charged. I don't know if he is guilty or not," he said.

To another question on steps which can be taken to prevent the cabinet from being misled, Mahathir smilingly replied: “Lots of things happen which the cabinet don’t know of”.

Ultimately, said Mahathir, the prime minister is always responsible for decisions made by the cabinet.

"But there are limits to this responsibility as there are lots of things the prime minister does not know," said the former premier of 22-years.

[More to follow]