Dr M denies instructing authorities to probe Umno leaders

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has brushed off allegations that he has been using the authorities to investigate certain Umno leaders and MPs.

In fact, the authorities will act against whoever that does wrong, he stressed. 

"It so happens that they were the people who committed crime. If Umno members don't commit the crime, they are not investigated. 

"The police know what they are doing... they are investigating many people who are living beyond their means, where the people had made accusations against them. 

"I don't care who they are... if they commit any crime, without my direction the police will act... that's their job," Mahathir told a press conference in Putrajaya. 

He was responding to an allegation by Umno's Lokman Noor Adam that Mahathir was using the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla) 2001, as the "new" Internal Security Act (ISA) to stifle political dissent. 

Lokman had also claimed that Mahathir has been instructing MACC chief commissioner Shukri Abdull to investigate certain parties, including MPs, who are believed to have received funds from the then Umno president Najib Abdul Razak.

'Hishammuddin not joining Bersatu'

Commenting on his meeting with former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein in Putrajaya recently, Mahathir said there was no discussion about the former quitting Umno and joining Bersatu.

"He came to see me. He didn't say anything about joining Bersatu... he has his own ideas. You (reporters) go and ask him," said Mahathir, without divulging details.

He added that in the New Malaysia era, any politician can meet whoever they want.

"They (politicians) come to see me. I see everybody and they see everybody. We are bebas (free), not like before.

"Before, if you met the 'wrong people', the Income Tax (Department) will come after you," Mahathir quipped. 

-Mkini