The IRC was set up to look into the reform of important government agencies that had been the subject of political controversy, with the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), the police force, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Election Commission (EC) among the agencies reviewed.

Mahathir was queried on this matter by former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan at a question-and-answer session at the Lawasia conference here today.

“If you ask me, I will release it but I’m not a free agent. I have other people (to consider). One has to remember we have five parties in the government and each one has its own agenda.

“If I’m going to be democratic, I have to consult them. It depends on the consensus that we achieve in the coalition.

“But, of course, I like to be popular. If you want me to release, I will release,” Mahathir said.

Ambiga had pressed Mahathir to consider releasing the report, telling him that it was crucial for the report to be released in order to receive feedback from the public.

“After all, Tun, we were smart enough to vote you in. I think the public is smart enough to give some reasonable responses,” she said. “So could you please release the report?”

Bersih 2.0 had urged Mahathir in November last year to make the report public, saying the lack of transparency and accountability undermined public trust towards PH.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong had said in August last year that consultations will be held with stakeholders and experts before the report is released to the public.

The IRC had submitted its final report to the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) and Prime Minister’s Department in July last year.

The committee, comprising five leaders and experts in various fields, had also briefed Mahathir on July 19 on the recommendations contained in the final report.