DEFENSE Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stressed the need for a criminal investigation into why Malaysia’s bid to review the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Batu Puteh was withdrawn in 2018.
Khaled revealed that as Johor Menteri Besar in 2017, he urged the federal government to appeal the ICJ’s decision that awarded Batu Puteh to Singapore, citing newly declassified British documents supporting Johor’s claim.
“When I was Johor menteri besar in 2017, I proposed to the federal government to appeal against the ICJ ruling (which ruled Batu Puteh belongs to Singapore).
“At that time, the British had declassified certain information indicating and proving that Batu Puteh belonged to Johor, and the (ICJ ruling) could have been challenged.
“The prime minister at that time was Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and we only had a limited time to file the appeal.
“If it wasn’t done then, we would no longer be able to make a claim on Batu Puteh.
“What happened, as summarised by the RCI, was that a decision was made without consultation, particularly a unilateral decision by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad not to proceed with the appeal,” he said
The Batu Puteh Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) alleged that then-Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a unilateral decision to withdraw the application without consulting the cabinet.
The RCI has recommended an investigation into this matter, highlighting the missed opportunity to reclaim Batu Puteh.
The ICJ had ruled on Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge sovereignty in 2008. —Dec 8, 2024
Main image: malaymail
