A SOCIAL media post questioning the treatment of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the National Day celebrations in Putrajaya yesterday has drawn criticism from some users.
The post by independent preacher Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani on Threads appeared to suggest that Mahathir was not given due recognition after he was seen seated among members of the public instead of at the VIP area.
But a woman who identified herself as Nadia Hisaa said the scene at Dataran Putrajaya was different from what was portrayed.
Nadia, who said she was at the venue when Mahathir arrived, claimed the former prime minister was escorted into the area and did not have to queue or jostle with other members of the public.
“There he comes. I was there. When Tun M arrived, he was escorted through the gates and treated as a VIP.
“He did not have to wait, queue or squeeze through the crowd like everyone else. Nobody was rude or rough with Tun. Nobody was disrespectful to him,” she wrote in the comments section of Ahmad Dusuki’s post.
She also suggested that Mahathir had chosen to sit in a wheelchair among the crowd to celebrate Merdeka with the public.
“Tun M’s contributions will always be remembered. Don’t make malicious and defamatory posts like this, Ustaz,” she added.
Nadia later said Mahathir stayed at the venue for about 15 minutes before leaving under escort.
Several videos circulating online also appeared to show the vehicle carrying Mahathir being allowed into a restricted area within the event perimeter, with security personnel accompanying him.
The exchange comes after the National Day celebration secretariat clarified that former prime ministers are not automatically invited to the celebrations under the protocol in place since 2018.
However, it said their attendance was not prohibited and could be arranged through an application by the former prime minister concerned.
The secretariat also said it had been informed by the Prime Minister’s Office that Mahathir was scheduled to be overseas from August 28 to 31.
It said the information was based on an application for an overseas rest facility that had been approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in accordance with provisions governing facilities for former prime ministers under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980 (Act 237). – September 1, 2026
