DR Mahathir Mohamad told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that if he had wanted to, he would have made his youngest son, Mukhriz Mahathir, prime minister more than two decades ago.

“If I had that intention, for sure when I was still prime minister, and when Mukhriz was still young in his 20s or 30s, I would have done whatever in my power to advance his career,” Dr Mahathir said.

The former prime minister was testifying in a defamation suit filed by Mukhriz against former DAP vice-chairman Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim for alleging that Pakatan Harapan had made a secret pact to make Mukhriz prime minister.

Tunku Aziz made the allegation in two statements: “There exists a secret pact between Dr Mahathir and Kit Siang – Tunku Aziz” and “Tunku Aziz urges Mukhriz, Kit Siang to make sworn declaration” published on a blog.

Tunku Aziz’s application to dismiss Mukhriz’s suit was rejected in October.

In court today, Dr Mahathir said any check would reveal that Mukhriz only became an Umno member shortly after the former stepped down as prime minister in 2003.

“This was because I had firmly forbade my children, including Mukhriz, from getting actively involved in politics.

“I didn’t want to be accused of abusing my position and power as prime minister and president of Umno to further the interests of my family,” he said.

Dr Mahathir added that he never took legal action against anyone in his capacity as prime minister.

“(For) 22 years (while I was prime minister), there were all sorts of accusations and false statements hurled against me. However, it was a principle of mine that a leader faces the accusations by people who didn’t like him.

“My response at the time was not to take legal action through the courts, but to prove myself through my work and my actions as prime minister.

“What is important is that, I never promised to never sue anyone, but later proceeded to sue people instead, as what (Prime Minister) Najib (Razak) has done.”

Meanwhile, Tunku Aziz, in his written statement, denied that what he wrote could be classified as slander against Mukhriz.

“I believe that any rational reader would see my statement as an analysis regarding the secret agreement between (DAP leader) Lim Kit Siang and Dr Mahathir regarding the post of prime minister and deputy prime minister,” he said.

“It was clear that the plaintiff (Mukhriz) was not the subject matter in this statement. The subject matter is the secret agreement between Lim Kit Siang and Dr Mahathir, which would have big implications on the political landscape, especially on Malay voters and issues related to Malay voters.

“I have also stated that as a political leader, he (Mukhriz) should not be too sensitive to analysis or opinions about his political activities. The people have the right to comment on his political journey as a political leader,” Tunku Aziz said.

Both Tunku Aziz and Dr Mahathir were present in court today.

Haniff Khatri Abdulla acted as lead counsel for Dr Mahathir while Jahabardeen Mohd Yunoos represented Tunku Aziz before judge Nordin Hassan.

The case was adjourned to Thursday when Tunku Aziz will be cross-examined. – February 27, 2018.