AFTER apologising for past misdeeds earlier today, Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it is Malay custom to apologise for wrongdoings, whether one has done wrong or otherwise.

The former prime minister was responding to a question on whether his apology was in relation to anything specific he had done.

“It is our custom as Malays to apologise for whatever wrongdoing that people say we’ve done.

“Whether I have done wrong or not is a different matter. What’s important is that you must always be humble and apologise if you have hurt somebody’s feelings,” said Dr Mahathir during a press conference at the closing of Bersatu’s inaugural annual general meeting today.

He said he had been involved in politics since 1945, and had made mistakes.

In his policy speech this morning, the 92-year-old said he was sorry for the mistakes he had made in the past.

However, Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, did not specify what he was apologising for.

His return to politics, in particular, joining the opposition, has drawn scepticism from long-time critics, who blame him for curtailing institutional independence and a free press, and cracking down on fundamental liberties during his tenure.

Critics, such as Dr Kua Kia Soong, who was detained by Dr Mahathir under the draconian Internal Security Act, have asked him to apologise for ordering Op Lalang in 1987.

Other activists have called on Dr Mahathir to apologise over the Memali incident, for aiding Najib Razak to become prime minister and for jailing PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

Dr Mahathir dismissed a question on whether he had cut a deal with Barisan Nasional for his son, Mukhriz Mahathir, to return to Umno.

The speculative story was posted by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin.

“I’m surprised that you’re asking me about Raja Petra, because he’s always drinking. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about and he sits in London, where he’s paid by some people.

“And then, once in a while, he comes out with a statement that slanders the people who pay him. Not me.”

When asked why Bersatu held its delegates’ debate behind closed doors, Dr Mahathir said the party wanted delegates to speak freely.

“This is different from Umno, because in Umno, the delegates are not allowed to talk about 1Malaysia Development Bhd or Felda or any of the scandals of late. They are just there to clap to Najib’s speech and give a standing ovation even when they don’t understand what is being said.” – December 30, 2017.