KUALA LUMPUR: It is the Attorney-General’s power as an independent entity and not the government’s call to initiate investigations against any individuals as per the Batu Puteh Royal Commission of Inquiry(RCI) recommendation, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
"The issue of whether to charge or not is the Attorney-General’s issue, not the government’s. We know as per the Constitution the AGC is an independent body," said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) while winding up the debates on the RCI report in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Dec 12).
"If there is a police report, the police will investigate and then the AGC decides. If there has been no police report until today, then how can we in this House instruct the police to investigate or AG to prosecute? How is that possible?."
"YB’s you should have read this report," she added.
She said the report was put for debate in Parliament to get feedback from MPs so that the government could decide and remedy the weaknesses.
On the redacted parts, she said it contained sensitive information including current negotiations among Malaysia and Singapore.
"The redaction was made to ensure that the report’s exposure does not lead to detrimental outcomes politically, diplomatically and national security to ensure transparency and protect sensitive information," she said, adding that the redaction was made by the government.
During the debate, lawmakers focused on the criminal allegations against Dr Mahathir, offering divided statements.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) defended former Dr Mahathir, describing him as one of the "true patriots" of the country through his past achievements.
"In 1983, he was the one who ordered our military to occupy and build an air base on Pulau Layang Layang, an island that we have won.
"In January 1992, another of his achievements was the building of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre that we are all so proud of.
"In 1992, he was also the one who began the effort to defend and verify Malaysia’s sovereignty and litigation over Pulau Sipadan. And the list goes on," he said.
Hamzah called on leaders not to adopt the "tyranny of the majority" attitude in this issue.
"Don't let Parliament be used like that again.
"That's why I called and invited all Umno lawmakers to come here to prove that they truly fought for it.
"The struggle is not just for the government but for justice, without oppressing anyone," he said.
Perikatan Nasional Opposition chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan questioned the redaction of 47 pages in the Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah and Tubir Selatan RCI report.
