SHAH ALAM, May 12 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad sees the Datuk V.K. Lingam video clip inquiry report, which seems to suggest that he was biased in the appointment of judges, as an attempt in blackmail.
"I have always emphasised that when people make such record (recording) secretly, the intention (is) to blackmail. I am afraid the government has made a successful blackmail attempt," he said.
Dr Mahathir was replying to reporters on whether he would look forward to reading the Royal Commission of Inquiry's report on the Lingam video yesterday.
He expects the Lingam video affair to be prolonged and said that certain individuals had purposely obtained the tape and exposed it to undermine the credibility of Lingam who was his lawyer.
He said the public inquiry had successfully made Lingam no longer credible to defend himself in a court of law, through the exposure of the tape which showed Lingam having a telephone conversation with someone in the judicary, regarding the appointment of judges.
The commission had presented the report on the findings of the inquiry which began on Jan 14 to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Istana Negara last Friday.
On DAP chairman Karpal Singh who allegedly questioned the power of the Sultan of Perak, Dr Mahathir said: "First, we need to know what is seditious statement, why is it regarded as seditious...is it merely against the law or merely (a) crime where you insult the king."
Recently, Karpal had remarked that Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak did not have jurisdiction over the transfer of Perak Islamic Religious Department director, Datuk Jamry Sury ordered by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
Karpal's remark has upset especially those in Umno, prompting the ruling party to lodge police reports. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had asked the Attorney-General to look into the matter.
Dr Mahathir said: "You have to get a court of law to determine whether it is seditious or not...but if it is seditious, then we must make it clear that if you say this thing, like in Thailand, you say this thing against the king, that is a crime. But here in Malaysia, there is no such provision."
On the Penang Syariah High Court to allow Muslim convert Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah, 39, to renounce Islam and revert to practising her original faith, Buddhism, Dr Mahathir said:
"The interpretation of Islam when you have a conflict or problem, you need to refer to the actual teachings of the religion, whether a man or woman who has converted to Islam, is not allowed to go back to his or her religion."
Asked whether he was against the court decision, he said: "I am not against the court decision but it has to be done according to the teachings. What is done in Malaysia is often not because Islam requires (it), but (because) local customs require it." — Bernama
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