Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of continuously spreading falsehoods and defamatory claims about him for nearly three decades. The statement came during a High Court proceeding in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, where Mahathir appeared as a witness in his RM150 million defamation suit against Anwar.
In a 54-page witness statement, Mahathir, who turned 100 in July, described Anwar’s alleged behavior as persistently deceitful and politically motivated. He said Anwar had been making slanderous remarks against him since 1998, including accusations that he had ruled as a dictator, used cronies for personal gain, and enriched his children through political connections. Mahathir claimed that these statements severely damaged his reputation as a national leader.
He pointed out that despite Anwar’s public claims of having proof to support his allegations, no evidence had been produced since the statements were made in March 2023 at the “Madani Malaysia: Implementing an Idealism” congress. According to Mahathir, the Prime Minister’s refusal to present evidence showed that the accusations were baseless and politically charged.
Mahathir said that when Anwar was not in power, he had ignored such remarks, viewing them as politically insignificant. However, he decided to pursue legal action after Anwar assumed the position of Prime Minister in late 2022, noting that the head of government now had access to powerful investigative agencies such as the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to obtain any proof—if such proof truly existed.
Filed in May 2023 through the Law Practice of Rafique, the lawsuit names Anwar as the sole defendant. Mahathir seeks RM150 million in damages, claiming that Anwar’s statements about him using his position to secure wealth for his family and cronies were false and intended to undermine his image as a respected statesman.
In response, Anwar has dismissed the lawsuit as an attempt to discredit his leadership and stir racial division ahead of the six-state elections last year. He also referred to issues related to Opcom Sdn Bhd, a company linked to Mahathir’s son, to justify his remarks.
The hearing before Judicial Commissioner Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin will continue this Thursday, with both sides expected to present further arguments in a case that reopens one of Malaysia’s most enduring political rivalries.
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