KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 ― Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar announce today that the police are investigating former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly defaming Umno during the Bersih 4 rally in the city last weekend.

The country’s top policeman said the investigation falls under section 500 of the Penal Code, after several Umno division leaders had filed police reports against Dr Mahathir over his bribery allegations in his speeches during the mammoth rally that saw tens of thousands descend on the national capital’s streets over 34 hours.

“We will take his statement. We need to his statement because we have received police reports,” Khalid told reporters after launching a security convention here, referring to Dr Mahathir.

“Especially because of a report from an Umno division leader on the statement made by Tun about corruption.”

Section 500 of the Penal Code outlines the penalty for defamation, which carries a maximum two-year jail, a fine, or both.

However, the national police chief added that Dr Mahathir would not be subjected to the usual police investigation routine and might be given a slightly better treatment as he was a “statesman”.

“I would not want to discuss this now. He is a statesman, we have to take good care of a statesman.

“However, he will still be called in to take his statement, it is part of the standard operating procedure,” Khalid said.

Khalid added however that he has yet to notify Dr Mahathir on the matter.

“I will notify him soon but I am sure he has already been notified by others by now,” he said.

It is understood that Dr Mahathir is currently on an overseas trip to Jordan. He is expected to return to the country on September 9.

Dr Mahathir attended the overnight rally both on Saturday and Sunday last week. At a press conference he had on Sunday at Central Market, Mahathir had demanded Datuk Seri Najib Razak step down as Prime Minister.

The fourth prime minister also alleged that several Umno leaders were corrupt and they have not said anything against Najib's administration which has been embattled by various crisis including debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Since then, several police reports against Mahathir has been lodged around the country by a few parties including Umno members.