LET the probe into former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad run its course, lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali told Jelutong MP RSN Rayer.

The former Langkawi MP’s lawyer claimed that his comments directly contradicted his professional obligations as a lawyer and undermined the fundamentals of the rule of law.

According to Rafique, the rule of law indicates that one is innocent until proven guilty.

“Dr Mahathir has fully cooperated and even had his statement taken by the police. Why is Jelutong (Rayer) hiding behind parliamentary privilege and hitting Dr Mahathir below the belt?

“As a lawyer, indeed, Jelutong should recognise that the law must take its course,” Malaysiakini reported Rafique as saying.

This came after Rayer called on the government to consider revoking Dr Mahathir’s ‘Tun’ title if he continues his attacks against the royal institution during his debate in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (June 6).

The former Seri Delima assemblymen also told the August House that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) should not hold back in their investigation against Dr Mahathir.

The nonagenerian was questioned concurrently for alleged activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy under Section 124B of the Penal Code which carries imprisonment for a term that may extend to 20 years.

According to Rafique, he described the questioning as “intimidation” and revealed that six police reports were lodged against the “Malay Proclamation”.

“It is rich coming from an MP-cum-lawyer to police someone’s right to express views and freedom of speech, what more from a government bloc that prides itself in being reformist.

“Shame on you, Jelutong, for forsaking your lawyerly instincts,” added Rafique.

Furthermore, Malaysiakini reported that Dr Mahathir was questioned by the police on June 2 regarding a video that purportedly showed him speaking at a private function where the nonagenarian allegedly remarked that the Malays cannot rely on the rulers to protect them and purportedly divulged that he has no respect for the rulers. - June 7, 2023 

https://focusmalaysia.my/rayer-should-recognise-that-the-law-must-take-its-course-says-rafique/