Mahathir is just mocking the legal system, says Salleh

Minister says former premier is unlikely to ‘rot in prison’ as he first needs to be charged and it will take years for any case to be heard, with a royal pardon also to be considered.

PETALING JAYA: Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was not being serious when he said he was ready to rot in jail for speaking up against the government and Prime Minister Najib Razak, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak.

He claimed that Mahathir had been treating the current political drama like a joke, hence the reason why the latter said he was willing to die in jail should his criticism against Najib and Putrajaya end with him being incarcerated.

“He even joked about sharing a cell with (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim. This shows Dr Mahathir is just mocking Malaysia’s legal system.

“For Dr Mahathir to be sent to jail, he first needs to be arrested and charged. Then he needs to face a trial. And only if it is proven he is guilty will he be sentenced.

“Then he can appeal this conviction and even if he loses, he can apply for pardon,” the deputy Sabah Umno liaison committee chairman told FMT when contacted via WhatsApp.

He said this process would take years or could even be postponed due to many reasons such as health issues.

“So do you really think Dr Mahathir is going to rot in jail as he says?”

Salleh also questioned Mahathir’s motive when the latter urged the public to show their concern for what was happening in the country at present, regardless of their political affiliations.

“Is Dr Mahathir now claiming the leadership of Pakatan Harapan in ‘uniting’ all parties to try to oust Najib?

“Does this not also open Umno to a risk of losing the (general) election?

“Or does Dr Mahathir feel he is no longer an Umno member?”