SHAH ALAM (Oct 21): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has described Pakatan Harapan leader and current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as not only a liar but a pathological one.
Mahathir, who turned 100 in July, said that what Anwar had said of him (Mahathir) at the PKR party congress in 2023 — alleging that Mahathir had enriched himself and would only highlight the plight of the Malays after losing power — was a personal attack to tarnish his reputation as an ex-PM who is loyal to the law.
“What he said was widely reported by the media and public. Anwar claimed that I took the country’s riches — without any proof. Anwar is only lying,” the centenarian said.
The two-time former PM said that what Anwar said as PM was detrimental and had affected his (Mahathir’s) reputation, as evidenced by comments made by Malaysians that ridiculed him and believed the claims that he (Mahathir) had enriched his family members and cronies, did not pay taxes, and abused (government) money and power.
“I do not fault Malaysians for believing (Anwar’s claims), as that is the power and influence of the PM. When a PM announces something, the people would normally think it is the truth.”
Hence, Mahathir said that as the sitting PM, Anwar is burdened with a high degree of evidence compared to the defence of a lesser meaning.
"As the PM, he has the power and ample resources to ensure that what he says is the truth.
“Many have listened and believed that what Anwar said was the truth. Many have listened and believed what Anwar had said — although what he claimed was false. Many believed Anwar’s claim — that I worked to enrich my family, cronies, and to control wealth which is hidden in foreign countries.
“I have contributed a lot to the nation but all this is forgotten due to Anwar’s defamatory statement,” the former politician said.
Mahathir said this in his RM150 million defamation lawsuit against Anwar for what the PKR president had said in his speech during the 2003 party congress.
Earlier in the day, Mahathir had explained why he had taken legal action on the sitting PM, citing that Anwar's statement as a PM carried more weight and was damaging.
Anwar a pathological liar
Mahathir described Anwar as a pathological liar, as he claimed that Anwar himself knew what he alleges in his speech is not true.
“I state that Anwar knew that what he alleges is untrue, as the majority of the facts to the defamatory allegation [pertain to a time] when he (Anwar) was with me in the government. If he knows I was wrong, it means that he as a Cabinet minister at that time was also wrong.
“Anwar did not state this or reveal this when he was with me in the Cabinet. Issues of nepotism, cronyism and abuse of power arose after he was sacked due to his own attitude and fault,” Mahathir added.
Mahathir said that when Anwar sought Mahathir’s help in 2018 when contesting for the Port Dickson by-election, Anwar had not raised those defamatory things at the time he was asking for help, raising them later instead, for which Mahathir was now taking action.
“At that time (2018) I was an angel and good. What Anwar had said now is for his own interests only. I do not agree when he said that he had to reveal this to the public as the PM. If what he says is the truth, he should state it from the start.
“Anwar is a pathological liar, and he has the amazing ability to lie. Anwar would lie for position and power,” Mahathir said.
From the documents produced in court by Anwar, Mahathir said there are none that show that he had billions of assets in his accounts, that he had given projects to his children and cronies, that he had avoided paying taxes, that he only talked about Malays after losing power, that he abused his powers when holding posts in the government or that he is a racist and hated people of other religions.
“I have asked Anwar to prove what he claimed in this court,” the 100-year-old politician said.
Mahathir answers on the issue of awards to Opcom, Kenchana Petroleum, and Perwaja
Mahathir further denied having a role in awarding fibre optic projects to Opcom Cables Sdn Bhd (at that time controlled by his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir) in 2003, as this was through negotiations done between Opcom and Telekom Malaysia Bhd via direct negotiation.
Furthermore, Mahathir said the tender process was done between October and November 2003, and the letter of award was given on Nov 17, 2003. At that time, he was no longer the PM or held any posts in the Cabinet.
On the Unifi contract, Mahathir emphasised that there was no meddling by him in 2018 as the project was awarded via tender.
“I did not have the power, nor did I direct or approve any tender applications by Opcom, as that was within the powers of Telekom Malaysia and the Finance Ministry.
“The award to Opcom was even verified by Communications Minister Gobind Singh Deo in his speech, saying that there is transparency in the tender award.
“I quote Gobind: ‘So the allegation that Opcom Holdings Berhad is the successful contractor in the bid for National Fiberisation and Connectivity (NFCP) through MCMC is false and baseless. The question of the value of the contract obtained through MCMC does not arise at all. MCMC will decide the company that will implement the USP initiative after evaluating all proposals. The process is similar to the open tender process and is a clear and transparent process’.”
On the award of the fabrication licence to Kencana Petroleum, as alleged by Anwar to Mahathir’s son, Mokhzani, Mahathir emphasised that he was not involved in the decision as that was made by Petronas at that time.
“Anwar’s claims — that as PM I had the power (to award projects) under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 — is just speculation which is not supported by facts. The fact is, I did not get involved in this matter. Is the person who made the decision in Petronas also at fault? All this needs to be proven by Anwar, and this is a heavy allegation made against me that has affected my image.”
On the Perwaja issue, where government funds were injected into the company, as raised by Anwar, Mahathir said he did not have any interests or links with the transaction. Anwar has alleged that Perwaja Steel’s managing director, the late Tan Sri Eric Chia, was Mahathir’s crony.
Mahathir said Anwar’s allegations are all empty allegations without any evidence to support them.
“I did not have an interest or receive any kickbacks from Chia or the Perwaja group in this (injection of funds) issue.
“Furthermore, Anwar, who was Finance Minister at the time, had the power to decide on whether Perwaja should receive the injection of funds or not. Anwar admitted that he submitted a motion in Parliament for the RM2 billion injection in Parliament. All this tabling of motion is under his portfolio, as well as the decision. Why then allege that I had enriched a crony?”
“The allegation by Anwar that the Finance Ministry cannot set aside Perwaja’s demands because of my (Mahathir’s) direction is untrue and does not have basis, and I ask Anwar to support his claim (against me),” Mahathir said.
He added that Anwar’s claims that Mahathir had helped enrich his children were made after Anwar became the PM.
“My children have been investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and there is no fault or charges. MACC is satisfied with the cooperation and the declaration made by my sons,” he added.
Mahathir maintained that he has an interest in the well-being of the Malays, due to him being a Malay, and had written on the matter in the past since the 1960’s and had produced a book, The writer: The early years 1947-1972.
In his defence, Anwar claimed that the allegation that Mahathir had enriched his children is true.
The trial before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin continues on Thursday.