KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to forgo applications for a review and interpretation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings concerning the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge in 2018 was solely made by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, according to three former Cabinet members who refute having played any part in the decision.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, and Anthony Loke, who were part of Dr Mahathir’s Cabinet, revealed in a joint statement that the decision was unilaterally made by Dr Mahathir before the first Cabinet meeting in May 2018. They stated that Dr Mahathir communicated his decision in writing to the Attorney-General on May 21, 2018, and informed the Singaporean authorities on the morning of May 23, 2018.
The trio emphasized that Dr Mahathir merely informed the Cabinet of his decision two days later, under the “Other Business” agenda, without initiating a discussion or seeking approv
al. They clarified that, by then, the opportunity to influence the decision had already been missed. Their statement was in response to Dr Mahathir’s claims that the decision was made during a Cabinet meeting.
A report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the handling of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge’s sovereignty matters recommended initiating a criminal investigation against Dr Mahathir. The commission suggested that he may have intentionally discouraged the Cabinet from pursuing the applications, despite the negotiators’ belief that there was a strong basis and likelihood of success.
Dr Wan Azizah was the Deputy Prime Minister, Mohamad Sabu served as the Minister of Defence, and Anthony Loke was the Minister of Transport at the time. They assert that Dr Mahathir should accept full responsibility for his decision, rather than attributing it to those who were not involved.
The ICJ’s ruling on May 23, 2008, granted Singapore sovereignty over Batu Puteh, while Middle Rocks was awa
rded to Malaysia. The ownership of South Ledge was to be determined based on the maritime boundaries of the controlling nation.