Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has defended his gift of timber to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe several years ago, and said he is prepared to be prosecuted if the act is deemed an abuse of his power while in office, reports said on Saturday.
Mahathir said the timber, which was used by Mugabe to build a 25-bedroom mansion, was given as a gift and meant to promote Malaysian products.
”Giving presents to one’s counterpart is a normal practice among world leaders.
”When I was prime minister, I gave many presents to many state leaders and received many in return,” he was quoted as saying by the Star daily. ”If that is considered an abuse of power, then I am ready to face the consequences.”
Mahathir said that the sawn timber was worth less than 100 000 ringgit (about $26 000).
The retired veteran leader was reacting to the controversy that was sparked when he admitted to giving Mugabe timber for the lavish $9,1 million mansion he is building while critics say Zimbabwe is plunging into economic chaos.
Mahathir, who retired last October after 22 years as premier, is an ally of Mugabe. Both men had been outspoken in their criticisms of Western ways. Mugabe had said in a recent interview that the Malaysian and Chinese governments provided partial funding for the mansion near Harare, without making clear whether timber was the full extent of Malaysia’s involvement. — Sapa-DPA