Dr M criticises prosecution of former UMNO man, lawyer

PUTRAJAYA — Dr Mahathir Mohamad accused the federal government of abusing the law after two individuals were charged today (Oct 12) with attempting to sabotage the banking system with reports they lodged over 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The former prime minister, along with several senior Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, claimed that the arrest, detention and subsequent charges against Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Matthias Chang is a clear sign of disrespect for the rule of law.

The two were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 that was enacted ostensibly to deal with terrorism-related offences.

“Do you think Matthias and Khairuddin are terrorists? They just reported what they thought are misdeeds of the government,” he said at a news conference here.

“We see a climate of fear among the people. They have a lot of concerns but they say they have no avenues for them to express their views. People with evidence say the same thing. When they say the truth, they are subjected to pressures such as detention,” he added.

Also present at the news conference were senior UMNO leaders Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Sanusi Junid, Shafie Apdal and former MCA President Ong Tee Keat. MALAY MAIL ONLINE