Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim offered a brief response to Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s challenge to prosecute him over the Pulau Batu Puteh matter.
“Let him be,” Sinar Harian quoted Anwar as saying after attending the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly.
Two days earlier, Anwar told Parliament that the cabinet had decided not to pursue legal action against Mahathir due to his advanced age and his status as a former prime minister.
“We made the decision because this issue involves a former PM who has reached 100,” Anwar said, referring to Mahathir, who turned 100 two weeks ago.
“Was he not wrong (in the Batu Puteh issue)? He was. But do we need to take action against him? I was in the cabinet meeting, and I agree that we should not take any action.
“Because if we take action, you, Kota Bharu, will be the one shouting, accusing us of being unfair,” Anwar added, addressing Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan in the Dewan Rakyat.
Mahathir has since responded, saying he does not require “immunity” and challenged Anwar to bring the matter to court.
“He said I’m not being charged despite being in the wrong, as I’m now 100 years old. It means I get immunity.
“But I don’t want immunity. If you think I was wrong, take me to court and prove it. I know I’m innocent, and I want to prove it (in court).
“Immunity is only for those who fear being dragged to court as they know they are guilty,” said the former Langkawi MP in a statement.
Mahathir appeared to be referring to Anwar’s court application to suspend a civil suit filed in 2021 by Yusoff Rawther, who alleged that the Tambun MP had sexually assaulted him at the PKR president’s office in October 2018.
On 5 December last year, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge recommended a criminal investigation against Mahathir. The report claimed he had misled the cabinet in 2018 into withdrawing Malaysia’s application to review the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s decision awarding Batu Puteh to Singapore.
Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional whip Takiyuddin Hassan is seeking to refer Anwar to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee over his remarks on Mahathir and the Batu Puteh issue.
Takiyuddin (PN–Kota Bharu) said he had submitted a motion to Speaker Johari Abdul, arguing there was “no reasonable excuse” to reject it.
Speaking at a press conference, Takiyuddin claimed Anwar had misled the House, noting that the power to initiate or discontinue charges lies with the attorney-general (AG), not the prime minister.
“Article 143 of the Federal Constitution states that the AG has the discretion to initiate, conduct, or halt legal proceedings for any offence.
“How is it within the prime minister’s power to accuse or charge anyone? Is this confirmation from the prime minister of interference in legal affairs?” asked the former law minister.