Former Malaysian PM Mahathir stripped of police escort for attending anti-government rallies
Fresh from being sacked as the adviser of the national oil company Petronas in March, due to his persistent criticism of the government, Mahathir found himself last Thursday bereft of a privilege he enjoyed since he retired in October 2003
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 04 May, 2016, 5:18pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 04 May, 2016, 5:18pm
Associated Press
Malaysia’s police chief said on Wednesday that former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is no longer entitled to a traffic police escort because he attended “illegal” anti-government rallies.
Fresh from being sacked as the adviser of the national oil company Petronas in March, due to his persistent criticism of the government, Mahathir found himself last Thursday bereft of a privilege he enjoyed since he retired in October 2003.
“It is my decision to withdraw the outriders as he was attending illegal functions. It does not make sense for law enforcers to escort someone to an anti-government or an illegal rally,” Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar was quoted as saying by The Star online daily.
He said Mahathir could still request an escort service for official functions and such requests would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
He also added that the 90-year old statesman, who ruled the country for 22 years from 1982 to 2003, is still entitled to his bodyguard “for his personal safety”.
“I hope Tun Mahathir understands our position on the matter,” Khalid said.
Mahathir has been on the warpath with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is caught in a corruption scandal. The latter began to seriously fight back when, in early March, Mahathir openly collaborated with the opposition in a campaign to demand Najib’s resignation.
On March 11, Najib’s office issued a statement saying the Cabinet decided to terminate Mahathir’s service as Petronas adviser because he “is no longer supporting the current Government, he should no longer hold any position related to the Government”.
Mahathir was appointed as Petronas adviser just after he retired from office.
He has found himself the subject of multiple police investigations over his alleged seditious and defamatory anti-Najib remarks.
