KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad showed the media several documents including copies of his old identification card, as well as those of his wife and four children and their original birth certificates to confirm his identity as a Malay Muslim.
At a press conference held at the lobby of the court complex here, the 99-year-old former prime minister said the copies were obtained from the National Registration Department (NRD).
“This is the actual identification card, not like the one Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi showed on his phone.
"The identification cards (in the past) had the owner’s name on the back.
“On mobile phones, all sorts of images can be uploaded, and (their authenticity cannot be verified)," he said on Thursday (Dec 5).
ALSO READ: Zahid's remark wouldn't matter if I were just selling 'kacang putih', Dr M tells court
He had earlier testified in his defamation lawsuit against Umno president Ahmad Zahid in the High Court.
During court proceedings earlier, Dr Mahathir through his lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali stated that his responsibilities as prime minister were among the reasons why he had not filed the lawsuit sooner.
“After becoming prime minister (in 2018), I was busy with national affairs, not personal matters.
“Personal issues could wait, but national matters had to be prioritised.
“When Ahmad Zahid initiated legal action... It was something I could not ignore. Thus, I decided to sue him. I also understand that there is no time limit to file this lawsuit after the statement was made,” he added.
ALSO READ: "Ahmad Zahid's 'Kutty' statement affected my popularity," Dr Mahathir says
Dr Mahathir said Ahmad Zahid’s speech had an impact because of his high position as deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president at the time.
Asked why he did not initiate legal action against others who made similar remarks, he said: “The others did not hold high-ranking positions like Ahmad Zahid.
“Statements... by other individuals do not affect me if they are not significant figures.
"If (a kacang putih seller) says something, I wouldn’t care,” he said.
On July 20, 2022, Dr Mahathir filed the lawsuit naming Ahmad Zahid as defendant.
According to the statement of claim, Dr Mahathir alleged that Ahmad Zahid had made false, defamatory and malicious statements directly referring to him.
These remarks were reportedly made during the Umno Kelana Jaya divison meeting on July 30, 2017.
ALSO READ: 'I am a Malay Muslim', Dr M tells court
Dr Mahathir said the individual referred to in the defamatory statement as “that person", “he", and “Mahathir, anak lelaki (son of) Iskandar Kutty” clearly pointed to him.
He alleged that Ahmad Zahid’s statement subjected him to public hatred and undermined his position as a respected statesman and internationally recognised political leader.
Dr Mahathir had argued that the statement implied that his credibility to lead the nation and a party championing Malay interests was in question.
He said the statement painted him as a liar, untrustworthy, self-serving, unethical in holding public office, and unfit to be a leader.
The proceedings, presided over by judicial commissioner Gan Techiong, will resume on Monday (Dec 9).
