Puad: Dr M making 'excuses' to skip Pulau Batu Puteh RCI

Puad: Dr M making 'excuses' to skip Pulau Batu Puteh RCI

Published: Feb 21, 2024 1:23 PM


Dr Mahathir Mohamad is making excuses to decline participation in the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) involving the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh as he has committed an "unforgivable sin", alleged an Umno leader.

According to Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi, the former premier's objection to former chief justice Md Raus Sharif leading the RCI is akin to him being afraid of his own shadow.

"Tun M (Mahathir's) objection should not be entertained. The rakyat want to know why he withdrew two review applications against the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) rulings that Singapore had sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh.

"It (the decision) is mysterious. Why was the decision not discussed in the cabinet? Why was the decision rushed, and the then-attorney-general put on forced leave?

"Mahathir is looking for excuses to avoid the RCI. He knows that the 'sin' of losing one's territory is severe and cannot be forgiven for generations to come," Puad (above, left) said on Facebook today.

On Feb 16, Mahathir's lawyer Rafique Rashid said that the former may be advised to decline participation in the RCI to review matters related to the cases involving the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge if it continues to be chaired by Raus.

Former chief justice Md Raus Sharif


Rafique said he has no choice but to advise Mahathir against attending the RCI, on grounds that Raus has a conflict of interest in the case.

The RCI was set up to review with immediate effect matters related to the government's decision in 2018, during Mahathir's time as prime minister, to withdraw two review applications against ICJ’s rulings in 2008.

On May 23, 2008, ICJ ruled that Singapore had sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh while Malaysia had sovereignty over Middle Rocks.

In addition, ICJ ruled that ownership of South Ledge, located about 4km from Batu Puteh, would be determined based on the maritime boundaries of the country that controls it.

The issue between Mahathir and Raus dates back to 2017 - when the former filed a judicial review to challenge the latter's appointment as an additional Federal Court judge.


‘Look who’s talking’

Meanwhile, Puad said that Mahathir is "least qualified" to talk about conflict of interest, alleging the latter was purportedly embroiled in such matters while in power.

"He appointed Mohd Shukri Abdull, who was already retired, as the MACC chief commissioner. Later, Latheefa Koya (a politician) replaced Shukri.

"The appointment of Richard Malanjum as the chief justice to replace Raus was also controversial. In fact, appointing Abdul Hamid Bador as the inspector-general of police on a contract basis was also questionable," said the Johor state assembly speaker.