Translate
27 April 2019
Former diplomat Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin said the process to ratify the Rome Statute started eight years ago by the Barisan Nasional government.
Rome Statute: Decision to accede was made by BN
NATION
Sunday, 28 Apr 2019
by zakiah koya
PETALING JAYA: A former head of the Research, Treaties and International Law Department has made known how the Rome Statute became a political hot potato due to vested interests – critics who ironically had agreed to its ratification eight years ago.
Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, who was the department head in 2011, presented the instrument to accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the Cabinet under then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and government agencies.
She said all parties agreed, except for the Attorney General’s Chambers at the time.
“The Pakatan Harapan government was merely completing the process by ratifying it. We prepared the paper on the ratification of the Rome Statute for Cabinet and sent it to all government agencies.
“All the agencies then agreed except for the AG’s Chambers who was vehemently against it,” Noor Farida, who is Group of 25 Eminent Malays (G25) spokesperson, revealed at a forum yesterday.
She also said later that “we need to educate the people. We do not want the opposition party (Umno) to provoke them into holding street demonstrations”.
(Umno had openly stated its opposition to the ratification, and said it would take further action if the ratification was not retracted.)
Her views were backed by Attorney General Tommy Thomas, who was also a panellist at yesterday’s forum organised by civil society groups.
image: https://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2019/04/27/23/20/rome-statute-um.ashx?h=379&w=620&la=en
Rapt attention: Members of the audience listening to what the panellists (below) have to say at the forum in Universiti Malaya.
The forum was held to debate the views of four academicians who had presented a paper on the Rome Statute, alleging that the sovereignty of the Rulers would be at stake if Malaysia went ahead with the ratification. (The organisers of the forum yesterday said the four academicians had declined an invitation to take part in the discussion.)
Thomas said the Cabinet had on March 18, 2011, decided that Malaysia should accede to the Rome Statute.
“Although eight years have passed, that decision was never removed. It was not implemented either,” he said.
“When the Pakatan government decided to accept the Rome Statute, it was merely continuing the policy decision made by the previous government.
“The hypocrisy that surrounds the debate (on Rome Statute) today must be fleshed out. The critics of the Rome Statute were supporting that same decision yesterday.
“It was an all-party decision eight years ago. Some had changed their mind. Truth has been the casualty of the fake news brigade,” said Thomas.
On April 5, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia would withdraw the ratification of the Rome Statute governing the ICC, set up to try perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression, following pressure from certain quarters.
Yesterday, Thomas explained that the King could never be prosecuted under the Rome Statute if he was not directly liable for the crimes as listed under the statute.
He cited the example of international calls for former British prime minister Tony Blair to be prosecuted at the ICC over crimes against humanity in the Iraq invasion.
“Nobody asked for the Queen (of United Kingdom) as the Commander of the Supreme Forces to be prosecuted.
“If war is declared (by Malaysia), although the Yang di-Pertuan Agung is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, the decision to declare war is always made by the Prime Minister or the Defence Minister.
“Operationally, it will be the generals or admirals, if there is a navy,” said Thomas.
He also elaborated on the jurisdiction of the ICC, which does not cover domestic crimes.
image: https://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2019/04/27/18/01/92940.ashx?la=en
The other four panellists were Emeritus Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, PKR leader and former academician Prof Dr Syed Husin Ali, and former student activists Lim Wei Jiat and Asheeq Ali Sethi Alavi.
Prof Shad said arguments presented to the Rulers which instigated their opposition to the ratification of the Rome Statute were baseless.
“The King was advised by the four academicians that any criminal prosecution against the LGBT community will be grounds for the King’s arrest and prosecution.
“Homosexuality is not a crime against humanity,” said Prof Shad.
He also said that the crimes, if committed before the ratification date, were not valid for prosecution.
“That is good news for those who had committed genocide (before ratification). If you have beaten someone in a bar or punched reporters, you are still okay,” he joked.
Prof Syed Husin said there were parties from the royalty and traditional elite from political and academic sectors who felt threatened and “abused” the Rome Statute to further their self-interests.
“The feudal mentality of the Malays played a big part in supporting the necessity to defend the sovereignty of the Rulers, despite the government’s assurance that the statute would not affect the sovereignty of the Rulers in any way,” he said.
Asheeq, who led a group of student activists in the leaking of the paper by the four professors to the Rulers, lambasted the government for giving in to those who rattled the public by playing up issues such as the Rome Statute.
“The government must give their expert arguments, not merely raise the white flag and retract,” said Asheeq, who called for action against the four academicians.
Lim accused the four academicians of crossing the line when they misled the Rulers and misrepresented other academics.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/28/decision-to-accede-was-made-by-bn/#fjvFAJhV4kAIvlpo.99
Popular Posts - Last 7 days
-
Lyia Meta, the first Malaysian singer nominated in the Grammy Awards Astro Awani 11/11/2024 Lyia Meta continues to strengthen her position...
-
Priest stabbed in St Joseph's Church in Singapore 09/11/2024 SINGAPORE: A priest was injured in a knife attack during mass at St Josep...
-
Azlan Man mengaku tidak bersalah pertuduhan pilihan salah guna wang RM1.06 juta Bernama 12/11/2024 Bekas Menteri Besar Perlis Datuk Seri Az...
-
Dalam perkembangan terbaru dakwaan skandal rasuah, seorang pemberi maklumat mengeluarkan video tambahan, di samping lapan video perb...
-
Hasnah angkat sumpah jawatan Hakim Besar Malaya Bernama 12/11/2024 Datuk Seri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim mengangkat sumpah sebagai Hakim Besar M...
-
Tun Daim Zainuddin passes away 13/11/2024 KUALA LUMPUR: Former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin reportedly died this morning at the age ...
-
KWSP catat pendapatan pelaburan RM19.67 bilion pada suku ketiga Bernama 11/11/2024 Pendapatan pelaburan Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP...
Popular Posts - Last 30 days
-
McDonald's E. coli crisis reveals why vegetable contamination is 'harder problem' than beef Reuters 26/10/2024 Fresh produce is ...
-
CNN CBS AP BBC US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS LIVE RESULTS: https://edition.cnn.com/election/2024/results/president?elec...
-
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS Bernama 18/10/2024 The government allocated RM470 million...
-
Kadar jangka pendek diunjurkan kekal kukuh disokong operasi BNM Bernama 04/11/2024 Hari ini, BNM akan menawarkan dua tender repo berbalik m...
-
Lyia Meta, the first Malaysian singer nominated in the Grammy Awards Astro Awani 11/11/2024 Lyia Meta continues to strengthen her position...
-
Seorang maut, 49 lagi jatuh sakit di AS akibat jangkitan E.Coli Astro Awani 23/10/2024 CDC memaklumkan semua individu ditemu bual melaporka...
-
The King of Spain was mocked, pelted with mud and eggs by flood victims Agency 04/11/2024 07:15 MYT King Felipe VI (with an umbrella) is pr...
-
PM Anwar hadir pada perlumbaan GP Malaysia 2024 Bernama 03/11/2024 Anwar (dua, kiri) melambaikan tangan kepada para penonton ketika hadir pa...
Blog Archive
-
▼
2019
(4089)
-
▼
Apr 2019
(266)
- A former officer to an ex-minister has been remand...
- A former special officer to an ex-minister has bee...
- RM1.9 billion in Najib's Account purportedly a don...
- The High Court has dismissed Datuk Seri Najib Raza...
- : A total of 173 child sexual abusers have been pu...
- Video of Controversial Muslim preacher Zamri Vinot...
- Gunman in synagogue shooting identified
- Dr Mahathir comments on a video of Tunku Ismail as...
- A Brazilian model died Saturday after collapsing o...
- Zakir Naik associate arrested in Perlis for insult...
- FORUM STATUT ROM KECOH, UNGKAP PERKATAAN ‘BODOH’,
- AG: Rome Statute cannot be used against constituti...
- Former diplomat Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin said the...
- Air Mata Komander Tumpah unit khas STAFOC Dibubarkan
- Comedian becomes Ukraine President, Malaysia?
- Dr Mahathir gets first-hand AI experience with sel...
- Man charged for splashing paint on mosque’s door
- A snatch thief was caught after failing to yank a ...
- Five-cornered fight for Sandakan parliament seat
- Zahran Hashim Sri Lanka bombers' mentor is believe...
- 15 people, including six children, were discovered...
- Entertainment lawyer Samuel Seow has made a police...
- EPL | Liverpool 5 - 0 Huddersfield Town | Astro Su...
- Senior Federal Court judge Azahar Mohamed is likel...
- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minist...
- The High Court will decide on Monday (April 29) if...
- Datuk Seri CEO, company advisor remanded four days...
- In argument about Federal Constitution and state r...
- Najib Razak's lawyer today claimed that documents ...
- Vietnamese woman on the hook for murdering the hal...
- Consumer Claims Tribunal to raise maximum fine for...
- Wang Kelian RCI: SB officer identifies Malaysian c...
- FGV Holdings Bhd has denied a news report today st...
- Police in Sri Lanka are still looking for Zahran H...
- Tun Mahathir In China, Visits Huawei On His First ...
- Muhyiddin: Good gesture, but Sultan must stop inte...
- Anwar Says "PM Tun Mahathir Interpretation of The ...
- Lim Guan Eng; Kerajaan akan terus memantau prestas...
- Isu Ustaz PU Abu cerai isteri hamil, kahwin janda ...
- Sports Minister Syed Saddiq reveals TMJ wanted Man...
- Les’ Copaque Production THE Upin & Ipin producer m...
- English Premier League | Manchester United 0 - 2 M...
- Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be in ...
- Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman was in...
- Sports Minister's Priorities All Screwed! ..... so...
- Former IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar gave specific ...
- Almost RM3.3 million was diverted from one of Datu...
- Najib Razak had previously appointed SRC Internati...
- TMJ posted on social media excerpts of the Federal...
- The former Perlis Deputy Police Chief today denied...
- Upgrading works at Sungai Selangor Phase 2 Water T...
- IGP Says he was aware about talk of terrorist link...
- Polis Negeri Sembilan terima laporan 217 kes tipu,...
- Deputy Comm Datuk Kamarulzaman has taken over as B...
- Tun Dr Mahathir upset as Details has emerged indi...
- PERANG TERBUKA? VIDEO KHAS TMJ TUJU KEPADA SYED SA...
- Viral CCTV footage shows suspected suicide bomber ...
- Indonesian Elections: Pollster quick counts show i...
- Petition calling for justice over Adelina's death ...
- English Premier League Roundup | 22 April 2019 | M...
- Tensed PPBM meeting over Johor exco line-up ends w...
- Najib Razak paid RM300,000 to a private consulting...
- New DPM, Singapore’s Finance Minister Heng Swee Ke...
- Klang Valley residents prepare for 4-day water dis...
- CID Head was told to stop investigations following...
- Teenage girl allegedly forced by father into sex w...
- The short selling activities for the shares of Eko...
- A Former lawyer has claimed trial at the Sessions ...
- SEASONAL fruit sellers, especially those selling d...
- Stolen Bukit Aman narcotic chief's car discovered ...
- Tun Dr Mahathir; Sultan has no say in new Exco by ...
- Three Johor Exco assemblymen have been sworn as ne...
- Sri Lanka Suicide Bombers Attack on Churches and F...
- Tun Dr Mahathir: I don’t have enough time
- AME 2019 | Senarai Pemenang Anugerah Meletop Era 2...
- Sri Lanka Easter Sunday Suicide Bombers Attack - m...
- Public Demands Why AG Dropped Charges against Ind...
- Former Johor exco member Datuk Abdul Latif Bandi h...
- Comedian Kojo gets Simon's GOLDEN BUZZER ON Britai...
- INCREDIBLE Akshat Singh dances his way to Ant & De...
- English Premier League Roundup | 21 April 2019 | M...
- Unbecoming and adversarial” for lawyers of the Hou...
- BLACKPINK - Kill This Love Video Gets almost 230 m...
- DATO M.NASIR turun Bukit Bintang KL nyanyi lagu GE...
- Dr M on succession plan - NST EXCLUSIVE
- A surprise singer to the song 'Hijau' when veteran...
- Datuk Zamri Man will be removed as Ipoh mayor for ...
- The MACC have arrested a further 22 enforcement of...
- Anina Saadudin has drawn public ire, she should be...
- A General Operations Force (GOF) officer involved ...
- Penyelia kedai emas di pasar raya di Seri Kembang...
- A punter has won Magnum 4D’s second-highest Jackpo...
- Najib Razak lost his cool when he yelled at polic...
- Malaysian ‘dangdut’ singer feels the wrath of cons...
- Tun Mahathir and Communications Minister Take Driv...
- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said the government ...
- Subang Runway Crash : Plane Received Clearance to ...
- Tun Mahathir on Time magazine’s 100 Most Influenti...
- The pump price of RON97 petrol will go up by 12 se...
- The candidate to replace Tan Sri Richard Malanjum ...
-
▼
Apr 2019
(266)