Dr M defends Facebook post

 

Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking to reporters at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended a statement he made on Facebook last month, which he said is based on facts and the Federal Constitution.

Mahathir was called by the police to give a statement today in connection with an ongoing investigation, and it is understood the police recorded his statement following the lodging of two reports over Facebook posts he made.

Mahathir published two Facebook posts on July 27, with one asserting that Malaysia should be recognised primarily as a Malay country rather than a multiracial one.

“The post is based on the Federal Constitution, which states that Malaysia is Tanah Melayu (land of the Malays),” he said at a press conference at Yayasan Albukhary here.

“When asked (by the police) why I said that, I replied that I would answer in court if I am charged.

“When I talk about ‘Tanah Melayu’, this is considered racist. So I can’t talk about the (Federal) Constitution.”

Claiming that there is a “double standard” in the case’s investigation, he went on to allege that the government is inconsistent with its implementation of the law. - FMT