Cabinet made decision on Rome Statute according to procedure, says Saifuddin

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah says Malaysia has ratified more than 100 treaties and international conventions without going through Parliament.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet had observed the correct procedure when it decided to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), said Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah.

He said the Cabinet also made the decision to sign the international agreement based on the provisions of the Federal Constitution

“The Cabinet made a decision following the right procedure and the process to ratify the Rome Statute did not need to go to Parliament,” he said in a statement last night.

Saifuddin said more than 100 treaties and international conventions had been ratified to date without going through Parliament.

“Unfortunately, there are some parties who purposely misinterpret the Rome Statute, including to the point of referring to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Council of Rulers by giving wrong advice or opinions, and ignoring the facts and explanations,” he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that Malaysia was withdrawing from the Rome Statute following the confusion the issue had created. - FMT