Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad acknowledged in court that no amendments have been made to the Federal Constitution under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration that would diminish the special position or political power of the Malays.
The admission came during a cross-examination in the High Court in Shah Alam, where Mahathir, now 100, is pursuing a RM150 million defamation suit against the current Prime Minister. The suit stems from remarks Anwar made at the PKR Special National Congress in March 2023, which Mahathir claims were aimed at tarnishing his image as a former national leader.
During the session before Judicial Commissioner Donald Joseph Franklin, Anwar’s lawyer Razlan Hadri Zulkifli questioned Mahathir about his previous public assertions that the current government was undermining Malay interests and eroding their influence. Razlan pressed the veteran politician to clarify whether any constitutional amendments had been enacted to weaken Malay privileges since Anwar took office.
Initially, Mahathir appeared reluctant to engage directly with the question, stating that the matter was more legal in nature. However, after further questioning, he conceded that no such constitutional change had occurred during Anwar’s tenure. When Razlan suggested that Malay power remained constitutionally intact, Mahathir agreed, though he added that political dynamics could still reduce the community’s overall influence.
Razlan then pointed out that Malays continue to dominate the public sector, including the police and armed forces. Mahathir acknowledged this but remarked that those institutions were still subject to the law, without providing further elaboration.
The proceedings, which lasted until late afternoon, also saw lighter moments. As the session drew to a close, Mahathir asked humorously whether there would be additional questions. When Razlan confirmed that cross-examination would continue in the next hearing, Mahathir quipped that at this pace, he might live to 200 years old.
Mahathir’s lawsuit, filed in May 2023, focuses on Anwar’s remarks referring to a leader who had “held power for 22 years and 22 months.” The former premier contends that the statement was a veiled reference to him and amounted to defamation by suggesting corruption and misuse of power during his tenure.
The court adjourned the session and is set to resume the hearing on October 29. Anwar is being represented by Ranjit Singh, Alliff Benjamin Suhaimi, and Razlan Hadri Zulkifli, while Mahathir’s legal team includes Rafique Rashid Ali and Nizam Bashir Abdul Kariem Bashir.
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