Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he is ready to face any potential criminal probe over his handling of a sovereignty dispute with neighboring Singapore over an island.
“If they want to do a criminal investigation, they are welcome to do that,” the 99-year-old said at a briefing on Tuesday.
A royal commission has recommended that a police report be lodged against Mahathir following findings that he decided to drop efforts to challenge the International Court of Justice’s ruling that Singapore had sovereignty over the island Malaysia refers to as Batu Puteh.
Mahathir denied claims that he unilaterally decided to drop the appeal prior to informing the cabinet in 2018 when he became prime minister for the second time.
It is “very much” a politically-motivated move, Mahathir said.
The former premier is already being investigated by the nation’s anti-graft agency and his two eldest sons have declared their assets in the months-long probe.
See also: Malaysian Royal Commission recommends probe against Mahathir
Mahathir has denied wrongdoing, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said he does not interfere in investigations.
