Dr M apologises to Memali families, blames Hadi for deaths

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has apologised to the families of those who died in the Memali incident, and for using harsh language to describe the deaths.

However, in the same video posted on his Facebook page today, Mahathir also reiterated his view that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was responsible for those who perished in the incident.

"Sometimes in my speeches I say the wrong things... Maybe the words I used were harsh, I apologise to the families of those who died in Memali," he said.

Mahathir explained that he was actually angry at Hadi when he spoke on Memali, as he claimed the latter had laid the blame for the deaths on him.

"I apologise if I caused the anger of certain people. Actually, when I spoke on Memali, it was because Hadi had even earlier accused me of involving police deaths and civilian (deaths) in the Memali incident," he said.

However, he pointed out that Memali, which took place 33 years ago, happened due to the belief held by those involved that death upon killing the police officers was a form of "mati syahid" (matrydom).

"(But if) Hadi did not say that dying when fighting the government is mati syahid, then the Memali incident would not have happened," he said.

The Pakatan Harapan chairperson noted that the Quran states that one should not kill.

He added: "If we kill, God will be angry with us.... that is why I am angry at Hadi and not at others.

"It was Hadi who brought on these deaths, not me, as I was not involved, it was a police action."

At a ceramah in Pantai Dalam last night, Mahathir said those who died in Memali did not die mati syahiddeaths, but mati katak (died in vain).

On Nov 19, 1985, villagers of Kampung Memali, Kedah clashed with police attempting to arrest PAS leader Ibrahim Mahmood, or Ibrahim Libya, on suspicion of heading a "deviant" sect and plotting to topple the government.

Fourteen villagers, including Ibrahim, died in the incident, along with four police officers. - Mkini