Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali does not have to go on leave to facilitate the investigation into the viral controversial video implicating the Economic Affairs Minister.
- Case related to Azmin politically motivated
- People can propose DPM hands over post to Anwar but whether PM will accept is a “different matter”
- Remarks about Jews is free speech
When asked on calls for Azmin to take leave, Dr Mahathir said: “Why? They (police) can continue with the investigation.
“He (Azmin) is not going to be an obstruction to the investigation.”
A minister should only take leave if the investigation is related to wrongdoing or crime, he said, adding that the case related to Azmin is politically motivated.
“In fact, it is intended to embarrass him and to ask him to take leave. This is a political thing,” he told reporters when met at the Prime Minister’s Department Hari Raya ‘open house’ in Putrajaya.
Asked about the calls for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to hand over the post to her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Mahathir said they had the right to propose.
“They can make a proposal. Whether I accept is a different matter,” he said.
Bersatu Selangor treasurer Mohd Shaid Rosli had said that it is a necessary step in the transition plan which involves the handing over of the prime minister’s post from Dr Mahathir to Anwar.
On the criticisms against his remarks about Jews during a recent talk in the United Kingdom, Dr Mahathir said he has every right to express his opinion.
The prime minister dismissed Turkish author Mustafa Akyol’s remarks that he was disrespectful towards the Jews.
“They talk about free speech but if I can’t say (my views), then there is no free speech.
“That is why I said the Europeans have double standards. When they like something, it is free speech, but if they don’t like it, then you can’t say it. That’s wrong,” he said.