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FORMER prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has hit back at three of his former Cabinet ministers who said he unilaterally decided to drop Malaysia's challenge over Batu Puteh.
He said it was perplexing that the reason given for the trio’s failure to state their stance on the issue was that they were only “informed” of his decision.
“Do I need to explicitly tell them to give their opinions or views before they do so?” he asked in a statement.
Dr Mahathir said it was puzzling that since 2018, nobody has said a word on the issue, but now, everyone is trying to shirk away from their responsibility.
Earlier, in a joint statement, former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, former defence minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and then transport minister Anthony Loke said Dr Mahathir decided on May 21, 2018 not to pursue the claim for Batu Puteh.
They said Dr Mahathir sent a written statement to the Solicitor General without referring to the Cabinet.
Mohamad is currently the Agriculture and Food Security Minister while Loke still holds the Transport portfolio.
"The decision not to proceed with the review and interpretation was made by Dr Mahathir himself in writing to the solicitor general, without referring to the Cabinet," they said.
“As I recall, during the Cabinet meeting, it was minuted that all members, including the three of them, agreed with my views on the issue.
“They want me to take responsibility for the matter but the question is, do they still remember about taking collective responsibility as cabinet members?,” asked Dr Mahathir. - December 12, 2024