KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition member of parliament today raised questions over the report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, stating that a significant portion of the document had been redacted.
Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) said the redacted parts raise serious doubts and appear to reflect a 'mala fide' intent targeting specific individuals to benefit those currently in power.
"This report is flawed. How are we supposed to refer to it when key sections are missing?
"For example, on page 197, it mentions recommendations by the RCI but the subsequent page provides no details.
"What are these recommendations? What are we supposed to debate? With 47 out of 217 pages redacted, is this report even fit for debate?" he said.
Takiyuddin also said he had received a copy of the alleged minutes of a May 2018 Cabinet meeting regarding the then government's decision on Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.
Takiyuddin said the minutes had been "dropped" at his office.
"The decision in the Cabinet meeting minutes, attended by Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) and 13 Cabinet ministers at the time, stated that the Cabinet had agreed not to pursue Malaysia's application for a review and interpretation before the International Court of Justice," he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Takiyuddin said this is despite three former ministers from the 2018 administration claiming that the decision was made unilaterally by Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister at the time, without consulting the cabinet.
He also said the statement made was contradicted by former ministers, including Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, who confirmed that the issue was presented by Dr Mahathir, but no objection was raised by the ministers at the time.
Earlier, Takiyuddin raised the matter before Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said tabled the report in Dewan Rakyat.
Following this, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said upon receiving the report previously, clarification from Azalina has been requested.
"I asked the minister about the redactions, as this involves sovereignty and sensitive matters.
"Questions can still be raised in the House, as long as they align with the need to safeguard national interests and sovereignty."
On Dec 5, the RCI on Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge recommended that a criminal investigation be initiated against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The recommendation was included in the 271-page declassified report presented to Parliament.
The RCI said Dr Mahathir withdrew the application to the ICJ for an interpretation of its ruling without consulting the cabinet in 2018.