Dr M willing to face probe of his 22-year rule

Dr M willing to face probe of his 22-year rule
Dec 23, 2009
New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has welcomed Lim Kit Siang's proposal to set up a royal commission of inquiry to investigate whether he "burnt" RM100 billion (40.9 billion Singapore dollars) on grandiose projects and corruption during his 22 years as prime minister.

Dr Mahathir said the commission should not be made up of government nominees, but should have impeccable people as members, including foreigners and those of Transparency International.

He suggested that the commission should not focus on just one prime minister, but also Tun Abdullah Badawi, also a former prime minister.

Dr Mahathir wrote in his blog that the commission's probe should include how RM270 billion of Petronas money paid during Abdullah's five-year term was spent, what projects were financed by the huge fund and the cost of all the projects.

"It should also include how much money was lost due to the cancellation of the crooked bridge and the Johor Baru- Padang Besar railway project.

"What is the cost over-run in the construction of the Bakun Hydroelectric project, the financing of the second Penang Bridge and the procedure followed when giving out this contract?"

He also wrote that for the inquiry to be successful, the government must give an undertaking for full access to the commission of all the documents and accounts between the period of 1981 and 2009.

"There should be no cover-up of any kind. Barry Wain must provide documentary proof of any sum that he alleged I had burned."

Wain is the author of the book Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times.

Dr Mahathir also agreed with Lim, who is DAP adviser, that the investigation would reflect Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's commitment in combating corruption. He said he would cooperate with the commission.

"Depending on its result, I reserve the right to sue Barry Wain, Lim Kit Siang and Malaysiakini.com for libel for a sum to be disclosed later."

Dr Mahathir also requested that the book be released immediately.

"I am not in need of government protection."