PETALING JAYA, Sept 14 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad denied that he had insisted Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah lead the prosecution team in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s 2015 appeal against his Sodomy II conviction.
The prime minister said he had only then advised Shafee to consult the former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, if the counsel was confident he could win the case.
“He said the Attorney General (AG) at the time cannot prosecute (Anwar) and would lose the case.
“I told him, if he can win then he tell Najib lah. That time I was still friendly with Najib,” he told the media at the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) headquarters, here.
Dr Mahathir claimed that Shafee had previously wanted the post of AG and had sought his help on the matter.
“According to him (Shafee), I love him so much. You think I am now fighting Najib because I love Shafee so much,” he quipped.
“Shafee wanted so much to become AG. He came to see me.”
Dr Mahathir also sarcastically said Shafee had said if he was not made AG, then he would go against Najib at that time.
Shafee had on Saturday in a statement said Dr Mahathir had insisted that he be appointed as the special prosecutor in the Anwar appeal as he did not have the confidence that the AG Chambers would be able to competently manage the appeals.
He had also denied allegations that he was paid RM9.5 million to handle the prosecution against Anwar.
Yesterday, Shafee claimed trial at the Sessions Court to two charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 (AMLATFA) over two payments of RM4.3 million and RM5.2 million from Najib in 2013 and 2014.
He was also charged with two counts of making false declarations to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) for not including the RM9.5 million in his tax filing for the year under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFAPUA).
The Umno lawyer pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
