PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes there were reasons why former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman was not prosecuted for alleged corruption.
He said this in response to why Tan Sri Gani Patail (then AG) had not prosecuted Musa.
“There is reason for it, I think.The matter is not fully understood and I think we will seek some clarifications...what was actually the situation at (that) time when the thing happened.
“There is a need to explain to the public. Even if he (Gani) explains or not, the other people such as the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) has to explain why there was no prosecution,” he said after the launch of Poh Kong Gold Note of Hope programme here.
Kepong member of parliament Lim Lip Eng said on Wednesday that Gani was duty bound to clear the air over the issue of not prosecuting Musa as well as to respond to claims that the former Attorney-General had family ties with Musa.
On former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s view that the real decision makers in the Pakatan Harapan government were the billionaires and towkay, Dr Mahathir said everybody was allowed to have their opinion in Malaysia.
“That is his (Zaid’s) opinion. (And) no, I don’t have to agree with everybody. (They) are free to give their opinion in this country where we have (freedom of speech).
“I do not know, perhaps he has evidence. (If so) he can show the evidence,” Dr Mahathir said.
Zaid had written in his blog that the real decision makers in the PH Government were not socialists or supporters of the welfare system.
“They are billionaires and towkays who are close to, and are in line with, Dr M’s economic thinking.
“Obviously they like selling assets and are in favour of creating more wealthy businessmen. They believe this will have a trickle down effect, and everybody will be happy and satisfied,” said Zaid.
On Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin’s call for PH to focus on fulfilling its manifesto and stop blaming the past government, Dr Mahathir said the government was focused on solving issues and to heal the nation.
“Yes, we want to correct what has been wronged and heal the country to regain our respect. This is our aim.
“On the matter of blaming others, let the laws take care of that and not us,” said the prime minister.
On the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), Dr Mahathir said it had to be looked into first.
“This is because there are unsuitable provisions for our country,” he said without elaborating.
ICERD will commit its members to the elimination of racial discrimination and the promotion of understanding within all races.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy was reported saying that Malaysia would ratify ICERD and five other treaties as early as the first quarter of next year.
On Nov 1, Dr Mahathir had said that Malaysia would only endorse after consulting all races in the country.