Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad took the stand in the High Court today to address the controversy surrounding the term "Kutty" and its implications in a defamation suit against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. This legal battle stems from Zahid’s 2017 remarks suggesting that Dr. Mahathir’s original name was "Mahathir anak lelaki Iskandar Kutty" (which translates to: Mahathir, son of Iskandar Kutty).
During the proceedings, Zahid’s attorney, Mohamed Shahrul Fazli Kamarulzaman, probed Dr. Mahathir about the significance and origins of the names "Mahathir," "Mohamad," "Iskandar," and "Kutty." Dr. Mahathir affirmed that "Mahathir" is a Malay name associated with Islamic identity. He similarly classified "Mohamad" and "Iskandar" as both Malay and Muslim names.
However, when asked about the term "Kutty," Dr. Mahathir indicated his unfamiliarity with the word's definition, noting that it is not listed in the Kamus Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, a standard Malay dictionary. He conceded that while "Kutty" can be a name used by Muslims or non-Muslims, its exact relevance to his case was uncertain.
Dr. Mahathir also addressed Zahid’s indirect reference to him. Although Zahid did not use Dr. Mahathir’s full name in his statements, the former Prime Minister asserted that the remarks were clearly targeted at him. Dr. Mahathir argued that Zahid's insinuation led the public to question and criticize him based on a fabricated identity, which he claimed Zahid falsely attributed to the National Registration Department (NRD).
In court, Zahid’s lawyer presented a blog post from July 30, 2017, featuring a photograph allegedly of Dr. Mahathir’s old identification card showing the controversial name. Dr. Mahathir disputed the authenticity of this photograph, asserting it could easily be manipulated and demanding to see the actual identification card.
Dr. Mahathir’s legal team later revealed that while they did not possess the original old IC, they had recently discovered a plaque from the NRD in Dr. Mahathir’s office. This plaque, which includes photographs of Dr. Mahathir’s old IC along with those of his family members, was presented to the court. Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, Dr. Mahathir’s lawyer, clarified that the plaque was a gift and not an official document.
After reviewing the plaque, the judicial commissioner noted that it depicted the same image of an old IC as the one on the blog but lacked the name "Mahathir anak lelaki Iskandar Kutty." The court has yet to determine whether the NRD retains the original IC.
Dr. Mahathir also acknowledged his ancestral roots from Kerala, India, but asserted that this does not negate his identity as a Malay and Muslim. He emphasized that while he respects his heritage, his current identity is firmly tied to his Malay and Muslim roots.
As the case progresses, the key issues revolve around the authenticity of the presented documents and the implications of the term "Kutty" in the defamation context. The judicial commissioner has reserved judgment while further questioning continues.
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