Dr M quizzed over blog posting, prefers to reply in court

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says he is prepared to be questioned in court and go to jail over his blog post criticising the Attorney-General and demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister.

In a press conference after he was questioned by the police, he claimed that he “did not answer specific questions on his blog posting”.

“I prefer to answer the questions in a court hearing,” he told reporters after meeting the police yesterday.

“They have a right to put me behind bars if I have committed some crime. But, I hope that in this country, you don’t put people behind bars for no crime.

“On the basis of what information they have, my article and their questioning, they (police) can make a decision if there is a case to be heard in court or not.

“If they charge me in court, I will go through the various procedures I have to. I will call for my witnesses,” he said.

“If that is going to be the end of my life, in jail...okay, that’s it,” he said, adding that he might even “share a cell together” with PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“There is nothing personal. I have no personal problems but I worry about the future of this country,” he added.

When asked if he will attend the March 27 closed-door gathering to seek Najib’s resignation, Dr Mahathir said he would if invited.

The case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation.

In his blog, Dr Mahathir lashed out at Apandi for not pressing charges against Najib over the RM2.6bil donation and SRC International issue.

He also said Najib should resign if Malaysia wanted to regain its reputation.