KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, at 98 years old, has stated his determination to continue discussing sensitive topics of race, religion, and royalty despite facing multiple police investigations. He asserts that the government’s ban on these topics, known as the “3R,” is unconstitutional.
During a ceramah at the Bakri PAS headquarters in Johor while supporting Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Simpang Jeram by-election, Dr. Mahathir emphasized that he would not be deterred by investigations, even if they continue to occur. He has been called in for questioning by the police nine times, but he remains resolute in his stance.
Dr. Mahathir, a two-time former prime minister, expressed his belief that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lacks the authority to create laws based on his reading of the Federal Constitution. He offered to defend his statements in court if any inaccuracies were found.
He questioned Anwar’s right to suppress discussions on 3R issues and anticipated further police inquiries into his statements. Dr. Mahathir’s response to potential charges was straightforward: “if I am wrong, charge me in court.”
Furthermore, Dr. Mahathir alleged that he had been informed of a law that could lead to his arrest without a court trial, raising concerns about selective enforcement and intimidation tactics employed by the government and police.
In recent weeks, Dr. Mahathir accused the government and police of selectively targeting him for questioning due to his remarks about non-Malay communities in Malaysia. He viewed these inquiries as efforts to prevent him and others from asserting that “Malaysia is a Malay country.”
Dr. Mahathir concluded that if Malays were not allowed to address their concerns openly, the essence of holding elections and practicing democracy in Malaysia would be undermined.
The former prime minister’s unwavering commitment to addressing these contentious issues has sparked controversy and led to ongoing legal and political discussions in the country.