KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has confirmed the receipt and approval of the motion for the presentation of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) Report on the Sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said the report was expected to be tabled next week by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
"I have received the motion, and the report has been distributed to all members of Parliament," he told reporters after officiating the 2024 Malaysian Hybrid Beef Cattle Industry Potential Seminar at Parliament today.
Yesterday, Azalina said that a debate on the report would depend on the Order of Business for the day.
Johari said that the Order of Business had yet to be finalised.
The 217-page RCI report includes recommendations for potential criminal investigations against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code, which addresses cheating and dishonesty. These charges could lead to penalties under Sections 417 and 418 of the same Act.
The RCI was established with the consent of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Feb 14, in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act.
It was formed following Malaysia's loss of Batu Puteh to Singapore after the cabinet led by Dr Mahathir in 2018 withdrew the application to annul the International Court of Justice decision.
The declassified final report was submitted by RCI chairman Tun Md Raus Sharif to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara on Aug 12.