Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said he would leave it to the police to decide if they want to detain him.

He said that after giving his statement to a police team from Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department at his office at Yayasan Al-Bukhary, here, this morning.

“They asked me questions and I will not answer. I do not know the reason why I was being investigated by the police. I let the police decide if they want to arrest me,” he told the media today.


Dr Mahathir also said that he would remain as an UMNO member and denied rumours that he will leave the party.

Meanwhile, his lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said Dr Mahathir was questioned on several matters, including his presence at Bersih 4 rally, in Kuala Lumpur in August this year.

Dr Mahathir was represented by seven lawyers, three of whom were with him when he was giving his statement to the police.

The police investigations were led by Supt Azham Othman, along with two officers.

“Dr Mahathir gives his full cooperation when he was giving his statement to the police, but he did not answer some questions after being advised by his lawyer,” said Mohamed Haniff.

Last month, deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said three investigation papers on Dr Mahathir were opened following reports that he had openly criticised prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

According to him, out of the three papers, two involve an ongoing investigation while the other was referred to the Attorney General for further actions.

The investigation is believed to fall under Section 500 of the Penal Code involving a defamation issue.