Inquiry on His Majesty’s orders

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

KAJANG: The proposed Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to study issues related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah and Tubir Selatan will commence once its members are appointed by the incoming Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Cabinet had discussed the matter and given the nod for the RCI to be formed.

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“I was informed that it will start once the members of the RCI are officially appointed by the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he told reporters after his working visit to the Civil Defence Force’s headquarters here yesterday.

At a separate event, Fahmi Fadzil said the setting up of the RCI is pertinent as it involves the country’s borders.

The government’s spokesman said it was also important for this to be looked into as it touches on the country’s sovereignty.

“Based on our discussion today, I believe it is urgent and important for us to establish the RCI.

“The proposal and the membership composition of the RCI will be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“We will make an announcement once it has been consented to,” said Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister.

On when the RCI would be set up, he said he was unable to give a time frame but believes it would not take too long.

The Cabinet yesterday had decided to set up an RCI to look into issues involving the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah and Tubir Selatan.

Announcing this, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said members of the commission would be experts who have vast experience in judicial and legal affairs, and public administration.

In December 2022, after he was appointed Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had instructed the Attorney General (AG) to review matters pertaining to the Batu Puteh claims so that negotiations with Singapore on the issue would be more fruitful.

He had also asked the AG to look into the impact of the International Court of Justice’s decision to award legal jurisdiction of Batu Puteh to Singapore.

In 2008, the ICJ ruled that Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore, while the sovereignty over the nearby Middle Rocks (Batuan Tengah) was awarded to Malaysia.

The Malaysian government filed an application in 2017 for a review of the ICJ decision, but in 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government withdrew the application before the case was heard.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who led the Pakatan administration at the time, argued that the decision to withdraw the application for a review of the ICJ’s decision was based on the advice of former attorney general Tan Sri Apandi Ali.