He said this following a comment by Umno Information Chief, Annuar Musa two weeks ago that there was a possibility that Mahathir was courting a sedition charge following remarks he made about Mohamed Apandi Ali in his blog.
“And the new publicity chief suggests I am doing this because I want to be arrested.
“That is as clear a warning as can be of the wish to arrest me,” Malaysia’s longest-serving premier wrote in his blog today.
On February 6, Annuar said it could be that Mahathir, “being a shrewd political strategist” was trying to mobilise support for his cause to oust Prime Minister Najib Razak by inciting the authorities to act against him and hence garner public sympathy.
Annuar also claimed it was clear Mahathir’s article had contained “words seditious in nature.”
However, Annuar pointed out that the authorities would have to act if police reports were lodged against Dr Mahathir, lest the government be perceived as being selective.
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed that Mahathir was being investigated for criminal defamation following his blog posting.
If convicted, Mahathir risks a two-year jail term, a fine or both.
Khalid had earlier confirmed there had been reports lodged “one or two days ago” against Mahathir.
In his post, Mahathir alleged that Apandi would not prosecute Najib in the matter involving the RM2.6 billion Saudi donation and RM42 million donation from SRC International as the AG was indebted to the PM.