Will Mahathir get the justice he installed?

Dr M drags Najib to court, seeks RM2.6b in damages

Anonymous 2405561458171517: Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad may remember that under his rule, the government was protected from public interest litigation.

See Lim Kit Siang v UEM where Lim claimed locus standi based on the fact that he was a taxpayer, member of parliament, opposition leader, etc, but was unsuccessful.

Mahathir should also remember Kajing Tubek in the Bakun dam case where a couple of hundred natives who opposed the dam were deemed not to have locus standi.

He should also read the Abdul Razak Ahmad cases against the Johor government and its agencies, where he was unsuccessful in public interest litigation.

Mahathir’s government benefitted from the lack of locus standi for people who wanted initiate public interest litigation.

Be that as it may, regardless of who brings the current suit, one should objectively support the effort to develop progressive interpretation of locus standi in this country to be more in line with international development in countries such as the UK and India.

Caripasal: The RM2.6 billion saga is finally reaching the court. If the attorney-general and Umno are so sure about the ‘donation’, they should have no fear defending the case. See you in court, Mr PM.

Bornean: Is it a donation or investment or corruption? Let the court decide. Well done, Mahathir.

Anonymous_1408265047: About time. Now this will be interesting because it will show the world where the judicial system is at in Malaysia.

Will it wimp out of its duties or will it show the world that it upholds the law and the constitution in the dispensation of justice?

The bookmakers will follow its track record and likely to shorten the odds on ‘wimp out’.

Anonymous_40f4: Expect the judges to throw the case out. At least in Brazil, the judiciary is quite independent and they follow the rule of law.

If there is a change of government at Putrajaya, the judiciary has to be completely overhauled and cleansed.

Unspin: I like the irony of the exemplary and aggravated damages of RM2.6 billion and RM42 million respectively.

I also agree with some commentators that without Mahathir, Najib would have got away with “murder”. Way to go, Mahathir.

Sa Tombs: Yes, it is ironical that the very man who had no respect for judges and who wanted the judges to be subservient to him, is now seeking justice from that same institution.

Well, as the old saying goes “What goes around must come around.”

Goldee: Taking the premier to court is the right move and the last resort. It’s like a corporation, if the CEO is found cheating or misappropriating funds, he/she can be charged for criminal breach of trust (CBT).

Ckl0001: Bravo, Mahathir. The silent majority is with you on this matter.

Anonymous 2&027714: Mahathir is just repeating false and misleading facts to bring down PM Najib Razak.

It is clear that these allegations are defamatory and contain substantial inaccuracies and false allegations. This old man will condemn Najib no matter what to achieve his hidden agenda.

Anonymous 2402341457407216: Mahathir knows well that many allegations were made regarding his administration.

And always, his answer was; where is the proof? Mahathir should be applying the same test regarding Najib.

LifesBlessing: It looks like some seem convinced that the Arab ‘donation’ is a confirmed thing. Nevertheless, can anyone tell me which Arab royal is this?

Anonymity is not an option, as this involves a potential for compromising national sovereignty.

Quigonbond: I don’t think there is any doubt what the final outcome would be. But with Mahathir testifying, there will be a lot of political damage. Najib will try his level best to strike out the matter out on locus standi grounds.

Anon1: Great. Mahathir is going to get a dose of the kind of justice he installed.

Apa 1Malaysia?: Mahathir, you have done the right thing for Malaysia. You have my utmost respect and admiration.

Anonymous112233: Mahathir, I like your courage, persistence, consistence and never say die attitude to make sure the premier will resign for the sake of our beloved country and its people. You are our saviour. Well done.

Peacemaker: Who is going to sue Mahathir for misfeasance in public office? He squandered billions on costly profitless projects – MMC, Proton, Twin Towers, Putrajaya, and a host of other projects to boost his ego and to maintain his grip on his political position.

Ferdtan: This is an act of desperation on the part of Mahathir. He has run out of options to use against Najib who is still stubbornly holding on the power at all costs.

What result or justice do you expect by suing a sitting PM with the kind of judiciary that we have? Don’t make us laugh.

Recently two judges were elevated to the highest court, the Federal Court. Both sat in former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy appellate case in the Court of Appeal.

They sentenced him to five years’ jail in record time. Doesn’t that tell you something about the state of our judiciary?

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