(The Star; February 8th, 2003)

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will be able to face any situation if the United States declares war on Iraq, said Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Government had prepared a plan but had not implemented it as the present situation did not require much adjustment, the Prime Minister said.

Iraq is locked in a confrontation with the United States over allegations that it has weapons of mass destruction. Baghdad has denied having such weapons.

Washing also has said it would attack Baghdad - with or without the approval of the United Nations Security Council - to disarm Iraq.

"The Government, of course, looks at various scenarios if there is a war in Iraq and we are prepared for this," Dr Mahathir told reporters, after launching E-Syariah here yesterday.

Dr Mahathir, who is also Finance Minister, said in the case of a war, there will be all kinds of disruption to daily life and business.

"For example, the movement of people (will be affected). People will fear to fly. Of course trade in certain areas will become difficult and (there will be) higher insurance rates.

"We have to learn to accept this," he added.

On another matter, Dr Mahathir said there was a line between the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary and it was important for all parties to uphold this division.

"If we were to breach this and fail to honour this division, then the other parties will also commit this breach and the authorities may even interfere in the judicial proceedings.

"Let the Legislature determine the laws. If the laws are not good, the people will demand that they are changed. That's the system in a democracy. But if judges do not apply the law as it is, then of course the whole system will break down," he said.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Mahathir said judges had to be fair and maintain a neutral stand when presiding over a case, irrespective of their political or social inclination.

He said because of the needs to see justice done, judges were exempted from any pressure from the Government or any other parties.

Asked whether the government has any plan to engange women syariah judges, Dr Mahathir said no decision had been made on the matter because there was still some doubts as to whether a woman could become a syariah judge.