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‘I will be dead before this case is finished,’ Mahathir tells trial judge
SHAH ALAM: Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s RM150 million lawsuit against his one-time heir apparent, Anwar Ibrahim, took a tense turn today with the long-time former premier bitterly complaining about questions posed to him in court.
In cross-examination, Anwar’s counsel Ranjit Singh questioned Mahathir about his resignation as prime minister in 2020, which precipitated the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.
Ranjit also highlighted the poor showing of Mahathir’s then-party, Pejuang, in the 2022 general election, when all its candidates – including Mahathir – lost their deposits.
Visibly irked, Mahathir pushed back, claiming the defence team had strayed from the core issues in the defamation suit.
“I’d like to point out that the line of questioning has nothing to do with (my) complaint that Anwar defamed me,” Mahathir told Judicial Commissioner Donald Joseph Franklin.
“Whether I am a good or bad man, if I committed a crime, I committed a crime.
“Anwar accused me of committing a crime, stealing money, enriching myself and my children, (and) moving money abroad. These are what make the accusation against me defamatory.”
Mahathir, who turned 100 on July 10 this year, expressed frustration that the cross-examination had strayed to questions about his character.
“So far, I have been asked about my character. I don’t have time, your honour, because I’m 100 years old. I cannot answer all the questions. It will take 10 years at this rate.
“I am not a lawyer, but I believe justice delayed is justice denied. Probably I will be dead before this case is finished.
“I hope we go back to the original complaint that Anwar accused me of stealing money, of having billions of dollars, and of enriching my children.”
In reply, Ranjit said: “You are right that you are not a lawyer. I don’t have to explain myself to the witness but maybe, out of courtesy to you, your case is that you are a ‘negarawan’ and that you have a reputation and whatnot, this is in your witness statement and statement of claim.
“As the defendant’s lawyer, I am entitled to challenge that assertion. We also challenged it in our (pleaded statement of) defence.”
Mahathir’s counsel, Rafique Rashid Ali, then took his client’s concerns up with Franklin, who reminded Ranjit to keep his questions concise.
At several points during the trial, Mahathir appeared hesitant to respond with a simple “yes” or “no”, prompting Franklin to assure him that he could elaborate on his answers during re-examination.
Mahathir eventually complied and continued answering the questions.
Mahathir is suing Anwar over remarks made in March 2023 at the PKR Special National Congress.
The PKR president is alleged to have said that “someone in power for 22 years and 22 months” had enriched himself, his family, and cronies, failed to pay taxes, and moved funds abroad.
Mahathir claims the remarks were directed at him and were defamatory.
Anwar served as deputy prime minister under Mahathir from 1993 until he was dismissed in September 1998. He was widely regarded as Mahathir’s protégé and successor until his sacking.
Rafique and Nizam Bashir Abdul Kariem Bashir appeared for Mahathir, while Anwar was represented by Ranjit, Alliff Benjamin Suhaimi and Razlan Hadri Zulkifli.
The trial will resume on Oct 29.
