DR Mahathir Mohamad today answered four questions posed by former attorney-general Apandi Ali on several issues including Pulau Batu Puteh, his “millionaire” children, and the Sulu case. 

Apandi on July 22 wrote on his Facebook page about questions Dr Mahathir should answer, and today, the Langkawi MP responded. 

Among the questions were how Dr Mahathir’s sons could become millionaires during his 22-year stint as prime minister.

The Pejuang chairman said he is ready to take Apandi to court if the latter fails to back up his claim in alleging his sons benefited from him during his tenure as prime minister. 

Below are the answers given by Dr Mahathir to Apandi. 

Apandi: Why was the Batu Puteh claim at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) withdrawn in May 2018, two weeks before the trial date? (At that time, the cabinet did not yet exist and the withdrawal of the claim was made without any cabinet reference/decision)

Dr Mahathir: The Batu Puteh claim was withdrawn because the agreement with the ICJ and Singapore was that all decisions by the court will be accepted by both parties. A similar agreement was made between Malaysia, Indonesia and the international court regarding Sipadan and Ligitan.

If Malaysia does not comply with the international court’s condition that the decision must be accepted by both parties (Malaysia and Singapore), Indonesia can also make a claim not to comply with the same agreement regarding Sipadan and Ligitan.

An international promise by a sovereign state must be fulfilled as a trust. Otherwise, Malaysia will not be trusted to honour agreements with other countries. Malaysia will lose credibility.

After all, Malaysia got a “Middle Rock” that can be redeemed to become a big island, like what was done with Pulau Layang-Layang. The issue started with Johor government officials telling the British that Pulau Batu Puteh does not belong to Johor.

New facts, if any, should be presented to the international court when making representations that Pulau Batu Puteh is Malaysia’s right.

Apandi: Why was the AG during Dr Mahathir’s time (Tommy Thomas) instructed to respond to the letter of claim on Sabah by the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu? The letter dated 19th September 2019 has become the basis of their claim in Spain and enforced in France.

Dr Mahathir: The claim by the heirs of the Sultanate of Sabah was made when Malaysia stopped paying, allegedly because of the Sulu attack on Lahad Datu. As long as the payment continues according to the agreement, there is no problem with the heirs.

The claim by the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu was made during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under Najib Razak. The BN government did not act to reject the jurisdiction of the Spanish courts nor to refund the payments that had been stopped. 

There is no evidence that Najib’s actions were approved by the AG at the time or the cabinet. Najib acted without following the administrative process. 

Apandi: Why has the Malaysian government made a settlement by agreement over my illegal dismissal as AG? (This is acknowledgment that Dr Mahathir’s arbitrary actions are procedurally/legally wrong)

Dr Mahathir: Apandi’s dismissal was because he decided that Najib did not commit any wrongdoing regarding the management of 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd), while the whole world knows, with the United States Department of Justice publicly stating there was theft of 1MDB money by “MO1”, namely, Najib. 

When the new AG (Tommy Thomas) was appointed, he found there was an offence committed by Najib. With that, Najib was charged in the High Court of Malaysia. After a trial, where Najib was given the opportunity to defend himself for over a year, the court ruled that Najib was guilty on seven cases, sentenced to prison for 12 years and fined RM210 million.

After an appeal to the Court of Appeal, the decision of the High Court was declared true and valid.

All this shows that Apandi was negligent or deliberately claimed there was no wrongdoing by Najib so that his case would not be brought to court. 

Apandi’s actions show that he does not adhere to the rule of law. He was not suitable to be AG. The government has the right to terminate officials who make clear wrong decisions. Many officials who made mistakes have been stripped of their positions. 

Apandi: In this world, where else is there a prime minister whose children become millionaires? 

Dr Mahathir: Please provide proof that my children became millionaires when I held the position of prime minister. Actually, my children are not even allowed to do business with the government or join the government party. 

If there are children who became millionaires, please provide proof of the date this title was given to them, as well as proof of their millions.

If there is no evidence, I consider this statement to be defamation and I have the right to act according to the law. – August 3, 2022.