Former attorney-general Abu Talib Othman has once again said that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was not responsible for the removal of then lord president Salleh Abas.

His confirmation comes as Mahathir yesterday reiterated that he had not instructed for Salleh to be sacked, which had led to the 1988 judicial crisis.

"As I said, it is not true that Mahathir moved the removal or wanted Salleh removed, he was only complying with the command of the then Agong," Abu Talib said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur today.

Abu Talib, however, insisted that he was not defending Mahathir in the matter...