Kit Siang: 'World will laugh if Section 124C used on Dr M'

Malaysia will give the world another cause to be dismissed as a “laughing stock” if Dr Mahathir Mohamad is investigated for attempting to undermine parliamentary democracy, Lim Kit Siang says.

“Imagine Mahathir, who is a great-grandfather and not just grandfather, and at the advanced age of 91 years, being investigated and accused of being 'engaged in activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy' after being the prime minister for 22 years.

“The heads of those responsible for these comic-tragedies in Malaysia should be examined,” the DAP leader said in a statement today, in which he also referred to Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos turning up in a towel at the Selangor Menteri Besar's Office to protest water disruption in the state and Penang Gerakan chief Teng Chang Yeow appearing at a press conference with his mouth plastered.

The Gelang Patah MP was responding to a Malaysiakini report quoting Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed indicating that the former prime minister is being probed under Section 124C of the Penal Code.

“Who says we are not investigating Mahathir under Section 124C?

"Whether or not we want to take this to the next stage is a different matter," Nur Jazlan had said when quizzed on this.

Among those who are currently being probed under Section 124C are Bersih and their leaders, including Maria Chin Abdullah, the Bar Council, Lawyers for Liberty and Malaysiakini.

These investigations are in relation to allegations that the groups received foreign funding, including from the George Soros-linked Open Society Foundations.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the investigations are to determine if these groups are being funded to topple the government.

However, the authorities have been accused of using the investigations to stifle dissent.

As of June this year, the police have been investigating eight cases related to Mahathir.

This included a criminal defamation probe after Mahathir claimed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was under house arrest.- Mkini