Criminal investigation approved against Mahathir Mohamad
Last Updated on December 8, 2024 6:21 am
A criminal investigation has been approved against former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. The country’s Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) has approved the investigation into allegations that he abandoned his claim to two disputed islands near the Singapore Strait.
In 2008, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca) belonged to Singapore, while Middle Rocks belonged to Malaysia, and that ownership of the southernmost maritime boundary would be determined after it was determined. However, in 2017, the then Malaysian government applied for a review of the ICJ’s ruling on the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, but in 2018, the government led by Dr. Mahathir withdrew this application after coming to power.
Almost all local media outlets, including Bernama, The Star, Malay Mail, New Straits Times, and others, reported that the legal recommendations mentioned in the 271-page report tabled in the Malaysian parliament on Thursday include that Dr. Mahathir could be investigated for an offence under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code. He could also be charged under Sections 417 and 418. However, it has been proposed that a police report be filed through the commission secretary so that the investigation can be started quickly.
On August 29 this year, Law and Institutional Reforms Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Osman told parliament that the report would be tabled after Cabinet approval. The RCI, headed by Tun Mohd Rous Sharif, was tasked with reviewing Malaysia’s sovereignty over Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and the southern tip. The RCI was formed in February this year with the consent of Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim.
It is reported that the main reason behind recommending an investigation into the Batu Puteh issue to Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was his decision to withdraw Malaysia’s application for a review of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling without the full support of the country’s cabinet or National Security Council.