Dr M seeks open RCI proceedings and disqualification of panel members

PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has filed a judicial review seeking an order to disqualify the chairman of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Batu Puteh for alleged bias.

In addition, Dr Mahathir's legal team has requested that the RCI proceedings be made accessible to the public.

In a statement on Wednesday (June 5), the application filed online, named Tun Md Raus Shariff, the RCI chairman, and other panel members, including the RCI secretary, as respondents.

Dr Mahathir's legal team argued that his conduct was under investigation and that he was involved in the matters being investigated by the RCI.

The application seeks a mandamus order directing the respondents to allow Dr Mahathir and his legal counsel to be present throughout the RCI proceedings.

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It also calls for the provision of all documents, witness lists, and evidentiary materials to Dr Mahathir and his legal team.

Dr Mahathir's legal team is also seeking an order prohibiting the first respondent from acting as the RCI chairman.

Additionally, they want the third and sixth respondents to be disqualified from being members of the RCI.

The application requests the suspension of all RCI proceedings until the judicial review is resolved.

An urgent certificate has been filed, requesting an expedited hearing by the Kuala Lumpur High Court (Special Powers Division).

This is in light of Dr Mahathir's subpoena to attend the RCI proceedings on 12 June 2024.