During cross-examination by lawyer Razlan Hadri Zulkifli on the third day of proceedings, Mahathir was forced to address past remarks that the Malays were losing their power under Anwar’s administration.

Mahathir had claimed that Anwar had intended to amend the Federal Constitution so that Malaysia would no longer be considered Malay land.

Razlan: Has there been any instance where Anwar specifically expressed that his administration will change the constitution and make this country a multiracial land?

Mahathir: He is the prime minister, and what he says carries weight. He said there was a possibility that he would change the constitution so that Malaysia is no longer the Malay land.

Mahathir’s counsel, Nizam Bashir Abdul Kariem Bashir, then stood up and objected to the defendant’s line of questioning.

“The impugned statement is that Tun (Mahathir) is corrupt and enriched his family, but the questions are touching on policy and politics, which are totally irrelevant to the impugned statement,” he said.

Razlan then proceeded to press Mahathir about Islam, asking whether any bill had been tabled in Parliament to remove Islam as the official religion and make Malaysia a secular country.

Nizam again objected, arguing that his client was being cross-examined on issues far removed from Anwar’s impugned statements.

Judicial commissioner Donald Joseph Franklin reminded the defence that the trial could drag on for years if every statement by the plaintiff were to be examined in detail.

“This case will never end,” he said.

Razlan then said he would trim the questions, but stressed that the plaintiff (Mahathir) should not be allowed to dictate how the defence conducts its cross-examination.

When Razlan asserted that there was no evidence the Malays had lost power under Anwar’s administration, Mahathir appeared visibly irritated and raised his voice.

“I did not complain about what happened to the Malays. I complained about allegations that I stole government funds and was involved in cronyism.

“These allegations led me to take action as they affected my reputation as a national leader,” he said.

In the afternoon session, Anwar’s other counsel, Ranjit Singh, questioned Mahathir about the 1987 Umno election, and the removal of then lord president Salleh Abas and two other Supreme Court judges, which Mahathir firmly denied being involved in.

Franklin once again intervened, saying allegations related to the conduct of the three judges were not the issue.

“Hearing that will need another five days,” he said.

He said he would rule on the relevancy of the questions posed in future.

The judge fixed a case management on Nov 11 to set further trial dates.

Mahathir is suing Anwar over remarks made in March 2023 at the PKR special national congress.

The PKR president is alleged to have said that “someone in power for 22 years and 22 months” had enriched himself, his family and cronies, failed to pay taxes, and transferred funds abroad.

Mahathir claims the remarks were directed at him and were defamatory.

Nizam and Rafique Rashid Ali appeared for Mahathir, while Anwar was represented by Ranjit, Razlan and Alliff Benjamin Suhaimi.