PUTRAJAYA (Dec 12): The decision to withdraw Malaysia's application for the review and interpretation of Pulau Batu Puteh was made by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad before the Cabinet meeting on May 23, 2018.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who confirmed the matter, said a letter had been issued regarding the matter before the Cabinet meeting was held.
He said the facts were the same as those reported in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) Report to Review the Handling of Matters Concerning the Sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.
"The matter has already been decided. We refer to the sequence of facts as in the RCI report, there was no Cabinet meeting yet when a letter was issued by Tun [Mahathir].
"So this is his attempt to drag [Cabinet members] like a drowning man," the home minister said at a press conference after attending the ministry's monthly assembly here on Thursday.
Saifuddin Nasution held the position of the minister of domestic trade and consumer affairs during the Pakatan Harapan administration in 2018.
The RCI had recommended that a criminal investigation be initiated against Mahathir.
The action was among those recommended by the RCI in a 217-page report distributed to Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat.
According to the report, a criminal investigation can be initiated against the former prime minister under Section 415 (b) of the Penal Code, and he can be punished under Section 417 of the same Code, and also under Section 418 of the same Code.
Read also:
Dr M decided to drop Batu Puteh challenge unilaterally, his former Cabinet members say
Tun M alleges Malaysia's Batu Puteh sovereignty claim long been lost
Mahathir’s attorney questions integrity of Batu Puteh RCI, says 47 pages of the report redacted
Tun M says Batu Puteh royal inquiry politically motivated, welcomes criminal probe to clear his name
Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee