Karpal v Mahatir part 2

This is what TDM's reply to Karpal's open letter for an apology to Tun Salleh and the two former Supreme Court Judges. Hmmmm, let the drama continue. Malaysians all over are reading this open letters. Sorry definitely seems to be a hardest word for TDM, and looks like he is agreeing to Elton John. The thing is that, everybody seems to feel that TDM is wrong but as usual, the government is always seems to be in a denial mood as though as the government is NEVER at fault.

Every time when the Tun Salleh's episode is highlighted in our newspaper, it brought me down to memory lane during constitutional law class Chapter 2 on Separation of Powers wherein my lecturer, when dealing this subject, will always quote the Tun Salleh's example of the Executive interfering the Judiciary. Unfortunately for us especially being Malaysian, my lecturer was quoting not from a local text book but from a UK author written by O hood Philips. Meaning, we, and I believe all law students around the world will know the 1988 saga and the dismissal of Tun Salleh as Lord President (Chief Justice of Malaysia). Yes it was a black day for the judiciary, and Malaysia and an embarrassment moment for all Malaysian law students whether reading locally, externally (through the external programme) or overseas.

But whatever said or done, the De facto Minister of Law, recently, have already made a public statements that the government should apologise to Tun Salleh (mind you, the Minister spoke in his personal capacity). It is a worthwhile act by the said Minister and at the same time restoring its dignity and the country's pride. That I must say is of paramount importance.

So Tun Dr Mahatir, please be a gentleman and apologise for the sake of restoring the good name of Malaysia.

------ taken from the Star

I owe nobody any apology, says Dr Mahathir

PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused DAP chairman Karpal Singh of being a detractor who was moved by pure hatred.

In a two-paragraph open letter to Karpal Singh dated April 3, the former prime minister said the politician was like any of his other detractors who would never believe him (Dr Mahathir) no matter what he said.

“You are moved by pure hatred and I cannot respond to people who can never accept reality. My conscience is clear. I have done what was my duty, and I owe nobody any apology,” Dr Mahathir wrote.

The letter was a reply to Karpal Singh’s earlier open letter stating that the former prime minister had abused the provisions of Article 125(3) of the Federal Constitution during the 1988 judicial crisis.

This led to the setting up of the two tribunals which found Tun Salleh Abas, Datuk George Seah and the late Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh guilty of misconduct.

In his letter, Dr Mahathir also said Karpal Singh would make use of his letter to tarnish his name further.

Dr Mahathir further said that the Bukit Gelugor MP was the most contemptible of politicians and individuals.

In a statement yesterday, Karpal Singh said he stood by whatever he had said in his letter to Dr Mahathir.

“As Dr Mahathir is much older to me, I do not propose to hurt his feelings in the vein by which he has described me,” he said, specifically pointing to the line where Dr Mahathir called him “the most contemptible of politicians and individuals.”

Karpal Singh also told Dr Mahathir to take his views in his stride and added, “I do not hate him.”