KUALA LUMPUR – Police questioned former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Bukit Aman today, following alleged sensitive statements he made while participating in the recent Malay Proclamation roundtable conference.
In a video posted on TikTok, lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali confirmed that the former prime minister met officers from Bukit Aman’s Classified Crime Investigation Unit (USJT) between 3pm and 3.30pm.
Rafique said that Dr Mahathir was also questioned about a press conference held immediately after the programme, among others.
“(Dr Mahathir) said he would give full cooperation to the police, and answer questions in court.
“He said his statement to the police was clear, and any statement made – written or in speech – is based on his experience as prime minister for 22 years, and the constitution,” Rafique said.
@mrafiquerashid #fyp #fypシ゚viral #3R #mahathirmohamad #tunmahathirmohammad #rafiquerashid ♬ original sound – MRafiqueRashid
Rafique said this was a form of government persecution, where freedom of speech is increasingly restricted, and that Dr Mahathir had repeatedly urged the government to issue a full and accurate guideline on 3R (race, religion, and royalty) issues.
Rafique also said that former Pejuang deputy president Datuk Marzuki Yahya and former Federal Territories Pejuang chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan were called for questioning as well.
Dr Mahathir was previously questioned by Bukit Aman in June over his Malay Proclamation campaign, over concerns that it undermined parliamentary democracy.
The Malay Proclamation listed a dozen problems facing the community, and is purportedly aimed at uniting the community and ensuring its political dominance.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, and Bersatu information chief Razali Idris are among the several leaders who signed the document this past May. – August 29, 2023