Opposition mounts against Mahathir

Opposition mounts against Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Opposition leaders said on Sunday they would file a police report and lawsuit against Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, demanding that the Attorney General charge Malaysia's ruler for spreading "vicious rumors" and inciting fear.

The move was meant to stop the government from accusing its rivals of plotting violent protests in the Malaysian capital to oust Mahathir, said National Justice Party officials.

Mahathir earlier this month warned that the Justice Party might stage a riot in Kuala Lumpur to mark the first anniversary of jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim's conviction.

The prime minister alleged that Anwar's supporters were ready to carry weapons and sticks to beat up security forces.

Last weekend, hundreds of Malaysians defied the warning and demonstrated in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Scores of policemen in riot gear chased, beat and arrested many protesters but found no weapons on any of them, except for a toy gun.