PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya’s planned royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to study Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision in 2018 to drop a review of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling on disputed territory with Singapore is an “internal matter” and will not affect bilateral ties, the Singapore foreign affairs ministry said today.
“The RCI is an internal matter of Malaysia,” the ministry told The Straits Times.
“We do not see this affecting the good bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia.”
The ministry said the ICJ decided on the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge on May 23, 2008, adding that this was a final decision respected by both nations.
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Chief secretary Zuki Ali said the RCI panel will be made up of experts with extensive experience in the fields of justice, law, and public administration.
“The establishment of this RCI is in line with the Commission of Inquiry Act 1950, whereby the proposed membership of the RCI will be submitted for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s approval,” he said in a statement.
“The RCI members are expected to conduct the investigation transparently, fairly and impartially to avoid any issues involving conflict of interest.”
In the 2008 decision, the ICJ decided that Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore, Middle Rocks to Malaysia, and South Ledge to the state in the territorial waters in which it is located.
Malaysia applied to the ICJ requesting an interpretation of the judgment in 2017.
However, in 2018, the Mahathir-led administration withdrew an application to overturn the ICJ ruling, awarding legal jurisdiction of Batu Puteh to Singapore.
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