We are public officials, never mind what court ruled, says Dr M

The prime minister says top members of his administration can be taken to court for their conduct.

VIDEO INSIDE

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says a code of ethics related to the funding of political parties will be introduced. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that top members of his Cabinet including him were public officials, in a departure from a court ruling last year declaring that then-prime minister Najib Razak was not a public official and therefore could not be made liable for misfeasance in public office.

“The court of law is not God. Rulings can be changed,” Mahathir told reporters today.

“If the court says the prime minister or deputy prime minister is above the law, we can change it.”

He also announced that a new law would be formulated on the financing of political parties.

He said political parties and leaders must declare their funding, including contributions from donors.

“If he is given a Mercedes, he has to reject it. They need to report it to the authorities and relevant departments when it comes to corruption,” said Mahathir.

“It will include all categories. Even MPs will be subjected to this code of ethics. There is going to be a rule on political funding.”

Mahathir also spoke on other issues, including:

The rule on political funding

Political funding is necessary. Parties need money, elections cost money.

Obviously, members and supporters provide money. When supporters give money, they do so in the hopes that if they win, they will be favoured. That amounts to corruption.

We are looking at other countries including Germany where the government funds political parties. We will see if that is something we can do.

How he will control corruption

During the period when the last government was in power, there were obvious cases of corruption. Action taken by officers was also wrong, as three reports submitted by institutions recognised by the government including the Public Accounts Committee were placed under the Official Secrets Act. That kind of thing cannot be done now.

As far as China’s practice against corruption is concerned, it involves capital punishment. We stop short of executing people.

The condition of Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Hanipa Maidin

He has gone to the hospital and has been found to be okay.

When the political funding bill will be tabled in Parliament

Once we have decided on the bill, then we will table it.

Whether a decision has been made on the speaker of Parliament

We have not decided. -FMT