KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was questioned by police today in relation to the “Malay Proclamation” campaign, which is suspected of being an activity detrimental to Malaysian democracy, his lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali said this afternoon.
Rafique said that Dr Mahathir is investigated under Section 124B of the Penal Code for committing an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
“Tun has said that he is ready to be charged at court and will answer questions at court,” Rafique said in a video on Facebook page InspirasiChannel.
He said that Dr Mahathir was questioned by investigators from the federal police headquarters between 11am and 12pm.
The police later confirmed in a statement that officers from the Classified Crime Investigation Unit recorded Dr Mahathir’s statement at Yayasan Al Bukhary here around 10.30am, as part of an investigation.
They said the investigation was on the “Malay Proclamation” and Dr Mahathir’s statements that allegedly belittled the royal institution.
“Is talking about Malays or the Malay Proclamation illegal?” Rafique asked, urging others who may be investigated on the same matter not to be cowed.
Dr Mahathir has purported his “Malay Proclamation” to be an initiative to unite the Malay community by addressing 12 key problems they face and bridging the group’s political differences, despite his leading role in at least four Malay political parties so far.
Last month, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, as well Bersatu leaders such as Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and information chief Datuk Razali Idris signed on to Dr Mahathir’s proclamation.
Dr Mahathir developed his proclamation after a humiliating defeat in the 15th general election, when he and all other Pejuang candidates lost their deposits due to failing to receive the minimum number of votes.
