Monday June 2, 2008
Burly man blocked Dr M’s way
KOTA BARU: A burly man wearing a dark jacket blocked the path of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and caused a commotion minutes after the former premier's arrival in Pengkalan Chepa two years ago, a magistrate's court heard yesterday.
Consultant Mohamad Zakhir Mohamed, 40, said moments after witnessing the incident, he felt nauseous and a burning sensation in his eyes and face.
“The big man pushed Tun (Dr Mahathir) before people began pushing him aside to make way for Tun to reach the sun-roofed Pajero which was parked alongside the main entrance to the airport,” he said when testifying in the trial of marine tycoon, Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusof.
Nik Sapeia was charged with spraying a dangerous substance at Dr Mahathir and three others, now-Pasir Mas MP Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali, Mohd Nasir Muda and Suberi Sahidan at the airport in Pengkalan Chepa.
Mohamad Zakhir said he had earlier noticed that Dr Mahathir was smiling and waving to a crowd which had gathered at the entrance area of the airport.
He said the 82-year-old former premier was flanked by Ibrahim and Nik Sapeia.
Mohamad Zakhir said he was standing near the driver’s area of the Pajero which he owns.
After the brief altercation, Dr Mahathir was escorted into the Pajero and somebody handed over a loud hailer before he rose above the sunroof with the intention to address the crowd.
Then, seconds before Mohamad Zakhir could slide into the driver’s seat, he felt the burning sensation, which became worse when he sat inside the vehicle and he also endured pain in his throat and had breathing difficulty.
“I turned around and saw Dr Mahathir crouching in the back seat. He was in discomfort before two of his bodyguards pulled him out and rushed him into a black vehicle which (then) sped away.”
Mohamad Zakhir later drove Ibrahim to the Kota Baru district police station to lodge a report.
Later during cross-examination by defence counsel Zainal Abidin Mustaffa, he said he could not identify the person in the dark jacket.
The trial before magistrate Azman Mustapha continues today.
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