KUALA LUMPUR: Pursuing criminal charges against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the Batu Puteh issue may not be the right course of action, said former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and his Keluar Sekejap co-host Shahril Hamdan.
While acknowledging the serious implications of the legal matters on the country's sovereignty, both Khairy and Shahril agreed that prosecuting the 99-year-old may not be necessary, considering his contributions to the nation.
"Dr Mahathir will always divide opinion. There will always be those who like him, those who think he ruled with an iron fist, and some who think he modernised Malaysia.
"And sometimes, when we reflect on the history and legacy of an individual, we must remember that they are not perfect, and both views can be valid.
"But this individual is almost 100 years old now. And I don't see him as any threat or burden to the Malaysian people, or to any political leaders at this point. His era is over," Shahril said.
He added that regardless of the criticisms that people had of him, his contributions to the country could not be denied.
"So unless we're talking about a very serious crime, like stealing money, then only would I think it's appropriate to consider whether we still want to prosecute or initiate criminal proceedings against someone his age, especially someone who has contributed so much to the nation."
Shahril, who is former Umno information chief, said the Royal Commission of Inquiry's (RCI) recommendation for a criminal investigation to be launched against Dr Mahathir felt like a "technicality."
"If we want to, we can proceed with it (the criminal investigation), but if not, we don't have to," he added.
Khairy, meanwhile, echoed Shahril and said no one could question Dr Mahathir's level of patriotism, and described him as one of the most prominent nationalists in the country.
He also said it would be "extremely unfair" to bring a case against Dr Mahathir, especially if it's based on a technicality.
"Dr Mahathir is many things, but we can't deny that he is one of the most prominent nationalists in the country. Whether we agree with his methods or not, that's secondary.
"So, I completely agree with Shahril. I don't think his intention was to sell out Malaysia. You can say a lot about Dr Mahathir, but selling out Malaysia? I don't think he's guilty of that, and never in his career.
"If we talk about who was the fiercest advocate for Malaysia against Singapore, it's Dr Mahathir."
The 271-page declassified RCI report into Batu Puteh, MIddle Rocks, and South Ledge was tabled in parliament on Thursday.
According to the commission, a criminal investigation can be initiated against Dr Mahathir for offences under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code and can be punished under Section 417 and 418 of the same code.
The RCI also concluded that it was Dr Mahathir's letter, and not the cabinet, that halted the legal applications.