KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been questioned by the federal police over the 'Malay Proclamation'.
Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali said Dr Mahathir gave his statement at Yayasan Albukhary around 12.30pm before four police officers today.
Rafique said that the former Langkawi member of parliament is being investigated under Section 124B of the Penal Code for "committing an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy by any means, directly or indirectly".
Section 124B carries a punishment of up 20 years in jail.
"Mahathir has informed the police that he is ready to be charged in court and will answer their questions in court," he said in a video posted on InspirasiChannel's Facebook page.
Rafique advised everyone detained by police in connection with the Malay Proclamation to follow suit and announce that any charges would be answered in court.
"Is speaking up for the Malays or talking about the Malay Proclamation a breach of the law?
"Don't be afraid. Let the people understand what the Malay Proclamation truly is," he said.
The Malay Proclamation, written by Dr Mahathir is a 12-point document that touched on the issues faced by the Malays that cause uncertainties over their future.
On March 19, the Malay Proclamation secretariat chairman Datuk Marzuki Yahya said the movement does not represent political parties or cause racial provocations.
He said the programme aimed to unite the Malays who were currently divided by current issues and raise awareness of the current political situation in the country.
In early May, several Pas leaders also signed the Malay proclamation, including Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Meanwhile, in a separate post, the 'Proklamasi Orang Melayu' Facebook page confirmed that the meeting took place with several Pas leaders in attendance, including its vice president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Pas' Bachok member of parliament Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman.
In April, Bersatu, led by deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, together with its information chief Datuk Razali Idris and supreme council member Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, attended a breaking-of-fast event hosted by the secretariat of the Malay Proclamation.
Faizal insisted the united Malays could reject evil and any misdeed that could harm the country.
It was also reported that Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin had met Dr Mahathir to discuss his Malay Proclamation following the support of Pas leaders.