Former Malaysia Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has vehemently denied claims made by Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said regarding his unilateral decision to withdraw Malaysia's challenge over Pulau Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca) sovereignty against Singapore.
In a press conference held in Putrajaya on June 12, Dr. Mahathir refuted Azalina's assertions, asserting that the decision to withdraw Malaysia's legal contest was a collective one endorsed by his Cabinet. He emphasized that prior to notifying the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on June 8, 2018, he had extensively consulted with various experts and stakeholders, including senior lawyers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Azalina said I did not consult anybody, which is absolute nonsense. I consulted many experts, including reading letters from five senior lawyers who indicated that we had a weak case," Dr. Mahathir stated, dismissing the notion of unilateral action.
Dr. Mahathir underscored the importance of respecting the ICJ's ruling, which awarded Singapore sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh and Middle Rock to Malaysia. He argued that Malaysia's adherence to this decision was crucial for maintaining international credibility and upholding promises made on the global stage.
Regarding criticisms directed at his handling of the matter, Dr. Mahathir clarified that while he personally drafted the letter to the ICJ, his Cabinet members did not contest or oppose the decision at the time. This clarification aimed to dispel any insinuations of autocratic decision-making on his part.
In addition to challenging Azalina's claims, Dr. Mahathir also questioned the credibility of former Attorney General Tan Sri Mohamad Apandi Ali, labeling him as unreliable due to his appointment under the previous Najib Razak administration. This skepticism towards Apandi's reliability stems from concerns over potential biases influenced by his previous political alignment.
The backdrop of this controversy dates back to allegations first raised by Azalina in April, where she reportedly accused Dr. Mahathir of unilaterally withdrawing Malaysia's appeal with the ICJ, thereby forfeiting any future claims over Pulau Batu Puteh. These allegations have sparked a contentious public debate over the decision-making process within Malaysia's highest government echelons during Dr. Mahathir's tenure.
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