In yet another twist to the Lingam tape scandal, a group held a short gathering in front of the Jalan Duta Court Complex today to mock a star witness’ testimony.

For about two minutes, the group of six people calling themselves the Young Malaysians Secretariat, unfurled three banners with the words “Mahathir mudah lupa (Mahathir forgets easily)”

The banners - in reference to Mahathir’s famous poem Melayu mudah lupa (Malays forget easily) which he recited during the 2001 Umno general assembly - drew sniggers and curious onlookers comprising of lawyers and members of the public.

In a prepared statement, spokesperson for the group Mohd Yunus Ali said Mahathir had claimed he could not remember or forgotten information while he was in power, when quizzed by the lawyers and members of the commission yesterday.

“He also denied that he had known lawyer VK Lingam while in power,” said Mohd Yunus.

Mirzan’s suits

Disputing this, Mohd Yunus (photo) said press reports in 1999 had shown possible links between Mahathir’s family and Lingam.

Mohd Yunus later distributed to reporters two press reports dating back to 1999, which reported that Mahathir’s son Mirzan had engaged Lingam’s firm in two defamation suits.

“Mahathir has selective memory... we are here to say that Malaysians don’t forget and he should not forget (as well),” said Mohd Yunus.

In addition, Mohd Yunus said Malaysians do not forget alleged corruption, abuse of power, suppression of human rights and curtailment of press freedom during Mahathir’s rule.

On Jan 4, the same group was responsible for symbolically delivering two pillows to the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya (photo).

Dr M’s testimony

Among others, the royal commission is to enquire the truth behind the contents of the controversial Lingam tape, which some quarters claim is proof of interference in judicial appointments.

When quizzed by the commission on matters pertaining to judicial appointments, Mahathir answered several times yesterday that he could not remember or was unaware of certain specifics.

He also claimed that he had only come to know Lingam after he had stepped down as prime minister in 2003.

Mahathir’s testimony yesterday was also the first time that he had to account for his actions as prime minister in an open court.