KUALA LUMPUR — Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, was questioned by the police over a speech she made at the Purple Walk rally four months ago, said her lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla on Friday (Jan 26).

She was questioned by the police at of her husband's office in Kuala Lumpur at about 11.45am on Friday, her daughter Marina Mahathir tweeted.

Mr Haniff, who is also Dr Mahathir's lawyer, said what transpired on Sept 10 last year was a peaceful assembly for women rights.

"Why is there a need for the police to come and take her statement?

"Legally, there is no need for the police to come and take the statement of anybody. There is a video of the rally and they can look at it.

"If there is proof, take it to court, do not waste the time of a statesperson who is 91 years old," he said.

At 11.45am, two police officers arrived to take Dr Siti Hasmah's statement about the rally on injustice against women, violence in politics and toxic politics.

She was questioned for more than an hour. Police left the premises at 12.40pm, just before Friday prayers.

Police asked Dr Siti Hasmah 12 questions pertaining to her speech at the rally.

She was questioned under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act, which states that an organiser must notify the police 10 days before holding an assembly.

Mr Haniff said Dr Siti Hasmah answered all the questions to the best of her abilities.

"The questions were all directed at the rally. However, she declined to answer some questions and said that she will answer them in court if needed.

"The key point here is that this event had taken place four months ago and why is she now (being questioned)?

"I leave it to the people to answer where are we heading to, with this sort of situation."

Dr Siti Hasmah was questioned based on one police report made on the same day of the rally, he said.

Ms Marina tweeted that some women from the women's group arrived to keep Dr Siti Hasmah company.

Mr Haniff also said Mahathir, who is chairman of opposition Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu, has had his statement recorded four times in the span of two years, and now the authorities and police are targeting his wife.

"If you look at the trend now, the government is trying to do these sort of things and they are trying to frighten the common folk." THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT