MUAR - Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wants to continue to 'speak up' especially involving the 3R issues that touch on religion, race and royal institutions, even though he has been questioned nine times by the police regarding the issue.
He said the ban on talking about the 3R issue was not in accordance with national law because it was not brought to the cabinet, approved by the Dewan Rakyat and signed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"Not being able to speak 3R is not in accordance with the law of the country, which is said to have been declared (by) the Prime Minister. I read in the constitution whether the Prime Minister can create laws, there is none.
"Dewan Rakyat is the one that can create laws. If he says we can't talk about the 3R issue, we have to bring it to the Dewan Rakyat to be discussed. If the Dewan Rakyat agrees, the Dewan Negara agrees, and the Agong signs, then it becomes law.
"With the Prime Minister's declaration alone, we cannot talk about 3R, this does not follow the rules in our constitution," he said during the Ceramah Mega Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Simpang Jeram on Sunday.
Also present were PN Chairman who is also the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Pas President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, Johor Pas Commissioner Abdullah Hussin, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau and PN candidate for Simpang Renggam by-election Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya.
Dr Mahathir once again insisted that the ban was not considered a law.
"I want to talk about my race, my religion, my King...that is my right.
"We cannot accept laws made by the Prime Minister. Who is he?" he said.
He added that if what he said during the talk was an offence, he was ready to be charged in court.
In fact, he said, so far he had been questioned nine times by the police regarding the issue.
"If they want to investigate, go ahead. I have been called nine times, maybe 10, 11 more times after this, but it's okay, we will count how many times the police summon me.
"If what I said is wrong, I can be charged in court but there is a law that can arrest me and I don't have to go to court anymore.
"But this is (the matter of) my race, this is my country, I have to defend it," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir said that he was aware that all his conversations would be recorded by certain parties.
In fact, he said, there was a possibility that he would be called again to give evidence regarding what he said.
"If asked why did you say that, my answer is easy...if it's wrong, sue in court, then I can answer in court.
"But, I also want to speak for my race because I don't want to see my race lose its country," he said.