Dr M: Malaysia will ratify Rome Statute only if it benefits the country

KUALA LANGAT: Malaysia is keen on ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, but it is subject to conditions and only if it benefits the country, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

This, he said, was because of the statute’s concepts of freedom, some of which could be at odds with Malaysia.

“We want to ratify it, but it is subject to our conditions in the country.

“There are certain things under the Rome Statute that we cannot do. For example, there is absolute freedom for everybody to do all kinds of things.

“There are men marrying men, women marrying women. I do not know what they do when they marry. But they are funny people. We do not have to be funny like them. We do not accept that. We only accept the good ones,” Dr Mahathir said after launching the Love My Palm Oil campaign in Pulau Carey yesterday.

He was asked to comment on a statement by Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who reportedly accused Putrajaya of violating the Federal Constitution by signing the Rome Statute.

Sultan Ibrahim was quoted as saying that the Rome Statute, along with the attempt to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), had touched on the monarchy, Malay privileges and sanctity of Islam.

He was quoted as saying that “anyone who touches on the rights and powers of a monarch or state government has violated national laws and can be considered traitors”.

He reportedly said: “The federal government’s intention to ratify ICERD and sign the Rome Statute is against the Federal Constitution because it touches on the powers of the monarchy, Malay special privileges and the sanctity of Islam in this country."

Dr Mahathir said Public Accounts Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee would keep his position despite making the move from Barisan Nasional to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

“This is not a legal matter. It is a promise made by Pakatan Harapan. We can do it anytime (replace the PAC chairman).

“We will keep our promise, but it is not necessary that when something happens, you have to drop everything.

“We will think about it and will find a good candidate. For now, he (Kiandee) remains PAC chairman,” said Dr Mahathir, who is Bersatu chairman.