TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was ready to be investigated if the government decided to pursue a criminal investigation based on the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling on Pulau Batu Puteh.
In his years as the prime minister, he stressed that he was always careful with his behaviour and any allegations that he embezzled the government's money were not proven.
“All the Cabinet members then were briefed at the time and if I’m being called as a witness, then the Cabinet members at the time should be called in as witnesses too.
“Since they can’t charge the entire Cabinet, it seems like they are trying to come for me alone,” Dr Mahathir told a press conference today at the Perdana Leadership Foundation.
He also dismissed all claims of treachery in his handling of Malaysia’s claim over Batu Puteh, saying he did not profit from the discontinuation of Malaysia’s legal appeal.
"I acted out of national interest at the time and I did it without any personal gain.
“If I was treacherous, then the whole Cabinet including the deputy prime minister at the time was also treacherous,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that the RCI on the handling of sovereignty issues involving Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah and Tubir Selatan has revealed treachery committed against the country.
He said the previous government, namely the administration that Dr Mahathir led from May 2018 to February 2020, should have fought to the end for every inch of Malaysia’s territory.
He said this is not a light matter and any offence about surrendering our sovereignty is deemed as a major treachery against the country.
Dr M’s deputy at the time was Dr Wan Azizah
Dr Mahathir’s deputy prime minister at the time was Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Anwar’s wife.
"Why didn’t Dr Wan Azizah say anything about this ‘treachery’ between May 2018 and Feb 2020?
"She was my deputy prime minister then,” Dr Mahathir said.
He said the decision to withdraw the appeal against the International Court of Justice was made to honour Malaysia’s undertaking to respect ICJ’s decision in the case.
He said it was wrong for Malaysia to appeal the ICJ decision and experts on international laws had advised the government then that an appeal could adversely affect the country.
This includes losing the trust of other countries for reneging on its promise to respect the court’s decision.
No reports against Dr M
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said no reports have been lodged against Dr Mahathir in connection with the recent unveiling of the RCI.
He said so far the police have not received any police report on the matter.
On Dec 5, the RCI on Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge recommended that a criminal investigation be initiated against Dr Mahathir.
The recommendation was included in the 271-page declassified report presented to Parliament. - December 10, 2024
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