SHAH ALAM - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has levelled accusations against the current government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, alleging misuse of the legal system for political gain.
The two-time former prime minister asserted that individuals opposing the government would face legal consequences, while those aligned with the government might receive preferential treatment, even leading to the dismissal of charges despite a prima facie case established by the court.
"This is all very political; it has nothing to do with the law.
"The law is being abused for political ends.
"I am saying this clearly: people who are against the government will have the law thrown in their faces, while those aligned with the government can escape even if they commit 47 charges," he said during a press conference at Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana in Putrajaya.
Citing an example, Dr Mahathir pointed to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, suggesting that he could face imprisonment on charges of criminal breach of trust once he withdrew his support towards the government.
"Once he withdrew his support, he is found guilty in court and is about to face two counts of the whip," Dr Mahathir said.
On Nov 9, Syed Saddiq, who is also former youth and sports minister and Malaysia United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president, was sentenced to seven-year jail and fined RM10 million and two strokes of the cane by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur after being found guilty of four charges.
Syed Saddiq, 30, was charged with abetting former Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali, who was entrusted with RM1mil of Armada’s funds, to commit CBT by misappropriating the funds.
Before the court decision, Syed Saddiq announced that he would no longer be part of the Madani government.
He had also said that the decision to drop the 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had made it difficult for Muda to remain with the government.