Dr M mum on 'AG ouster plot', wants to see SD

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has refused to comment on a statutory declaration (SD) that speaks of a meeting at his house at which Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail's supposed wrongdoings were raised.

Mahathir said he would only elaborate on the matter once he has seen the full SD by former CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim, who was present at the meeting on Aug 10.

"I haven't seen it. You mean he (Mat Zain) made a statutory declaration? I haven't seen it, so I am not prepared to comment because when reporters ask me, sometimes they do not get the facts right.

"So, after I have seen the statutory declaration, I will be prepared to answer your questions at length," Mahathir told journalists when asked about the matter in Putrajaya this evening.

Asked point blank if there was a plot to remove the attorney-general, Mahathir replied: "I don't know about that."

When asked for his review of Gani's performance as attorney-general following a series of failed prosecutions in a few high profile cases, Mahathir said he "regretted" them.

"I regret very much when he fails because he represents the government. But sometimes people fail in court.

"Innocent people have been sentenced to death and guilty people have gone scot-free when you go to the courts.

"It depends on how the case is presented to the judge," he said.

'Doctored evidence submitted'

The failure to secure a conviction in a few high profile cases recently, such as the Port Klang Free Trade Zone and Altantuya Shaariibuu murder have put the spotlight on the Attorney-General's Chambers.

It was also revealed recently that the Malaysian team led by Gani (right) in the Batu Puteh territorial dispute with Singapore before the International Court of Justice had submitted doctored evidence.

Mahathir had allegedly met with former CCID chief Ramli Yusuf, lawyer Shafee Abdullah and Mat Zain to discuss the supposed wrong doing.

He had reportedly also met with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, claiming that there were American intelligence working in the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Asked about this, Mahathir laughed and confirmed the claim, but said he did not have proof.

"I heard about this - I have no proof of course - but I heard that the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) has actually got offices in the attorney-general's office.

"Maybe it is true, may be not. I don't know. The attorney-general has not confirmed (the allegation)," he said.