Dr M Takes Another Dig At Pm S Immunity Bid With Murderous Hypothesis

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Dr Mahathir Mohamad has once again criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over his move to seek immunity in a civil suit.
ADSContinuing to cast doubt on Anwar’s innocence and insisting that true vindication can only come through the courts, the nonagenarian explored the broader implications of the immunity and cited a murderous hypothesis.
“If immunity is given for one case, wouldn't it apply to other cases too? Of course it would. So the prime minister could even kill someone and it would be okay,” he said in a statement.
Ironically, Mahathir - long accused of undermining judicial independence and enforcement agencies during his first tenure as prime minister - also complained that the law is not applied equally.
“In Malaysia, the implementation of the law is selective. For one person who has already been found guilty by the High Court, the sentence is not carried out, supposedly because they are waiting for the outcome of an appeal. Even when the Court of Appeal also finds the person guilty, the sentence is still not enforced.
“For others, even before they are tried in court - just during the investigation - they are detained for months, their property is seized, and their families are pressured. In short, even before being found guilty, they are punished and mistreated. That is the treatment for others,” he said.
“It is clear that although subject to the same law, the enforcement is not equal. It is true that in cases like murder or drug trafficking, the accused can be held in custody while investigations are ongoing. However, often even in less serious cases, people are still detained. Then they are released without any explanation,” he added.
The ‘real liar’
Referring to Anwar’s clarion call for reforms and justice since his ouster in 1998, Mahathir said it is now clear to the public who the “real liar” is.
Earlier today, the Court of Appeal issued an ad interim stay on all proceedings involving the civil suit brought against Anwar by Yusoff Rawther, who accused him of sexual assault in 2018.
This is after a three-judge panel allowed Anwar's application to put the civil suit on hold pending the disposal of the prime minister's bid to get a full stay.
The hearing on the full stay application has been set for July 21.
Last week, Anwar Ibrahim insisted that his bid to suspend the suit against him was never about seeking personal immunity from litigation.
The premier said this after the Kuala Lumpur High Court rejected his bid to pause the civil suit.
Previously, Mahathir said Anwar’s attempt to seek legal immunity paints an impression that he might be guilty of the accusation against him. - Mkini

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