Dr Mahathir denies being a dictator during his 22 years in power

SHAH ALAM – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad denied in the High Court here on Thursday that he was a dictator during his 22-year tenure as Prime Minister.

The 100-year-old former Langkawi MP said this after the lawyer representing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim played a video titled "Mahathir: I was a dictator."

During the defamation suit proceedings over the 10th Prime Minister’s speech at the Malaysia Madani Special National Congress: "The Implementation of an Idealism", Dr Mahathir stressed that he had never agreed with such a statement.

"No leader who practises dictatorial rule would willingly step down," he said in response to a question from lawyer Ranjit Singh, who represented Anwar.

Ranjit: Do you agree with my suggestion that your reputation throughout your 22 years as Prime Minister depends on public perception and if people view you as a dictator, it would affect your standing as a statesman?

Dr Mahathir: If the people think I’m a dictator, then perhaps that’s what they think.

Ranjit: In that case, please refer to the video where you admitted to being a dictator. You also commented on the matter during a press conference, which was reported by the media. Do you see it?

Dr Mahathir: Yes, I do.

Ranjit: In that report, you admitted to being a dictator and stated that people did not stage demonstrations against you. Do you understand the concept of a dictator?

Dr Mahathir: Yes.

The lawyer then suggested that there had been demonstrations in 1998 protesting against Dr Mahathir’s administration.

One of the events that triggered the incident, he said was Ops Lalang in the late 1980s, which involved a series of arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Therefore, he said, a leader who acted in such a manner could be seen as a dictatorial figure.

However, Dr Mahathir disagreed with those assertions.

On May 3, 2023, he filed a RM150 million lawsuit against the Prime Minister.

In his statement of claim, Dr Mahathir alleged that Anwar had made several defamatory remarks aimed at damaging his reputation.

He said among the statements were accusations that the plaintiff (Dr Mahathir) had "amassed wealth" for his children and family and had given special treatment to individuals of high rank.

He said those claims were untrue and had tarnished his image as a statesman and former prime minister.

Meanwhile, Anwar, who is PKR president stated in his defence dated June 14, the same year that Dr Mahathir’s lawsuit was intended to undermine his credibility as Prime Minister and to create racial division ahead of the recent state elections.

He stated that based on the Certificate of Urgency filed by the plaintiff, the lawsuit should be disposed of promptly as six states were about to dissolve their State Legislative Assemblies to make way for the state elections.

The six states are Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.

He also raised the issue of the direct award of a contract to Opcom Sdn Bhd, where Dr Mahathir’s son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz, served as a director of the company from 1994 to 2009.

The hearing before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin will continue next Wednesday.