Opposition wants Govt to officially announce withdrawal of Rome Statute in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition lawmakers want the government to make an official announcement on its decision to withdraw from ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Parliament.

Opposition chief Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) said while they welcomed the government's decision to withdraw from ratifying the international treaty, the decision should also be officially announced in Parliament, so it could be further debated.

"We propose that the government should make the withdrawal announcement, perhaps via a ministerial statement ... but it must be recorded in the Dewan Rakyat as it is an important matter," he said after the private motion calling the government to withdraw from the statute was rejected by the Speaker.

Last Thursday (April 4), the opposition filed a Private Member's Bill, urging the federal government to withdraw from the statute.
On April 6, Malaysia announced that it will not be ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) – a month after acceding to the treaty.

Announcing the Cabinet’s latest decision, a visibly upset Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government “was forced” to withdraw following confusion created by those with political interests.

The Prime Minister said contrary to claims, signing the Rome Statute was not harmful, nor would it affect the country’s sovereignty.

Ismail said the issue had been strongly debated by the public causing various speculation and confusion by certain parties.

"Some people argued that the withdrawal must be done before June 1 because anything after that, it will still be enforced.

"Others have claimed that it will be enforced for up to one year.

"For instance, when Philippines withdrew from ratifying the same treaty on March 17 last year, it was still enforced until March 2019.

"So, confusion has arisen on whether the treaty has actually been enforced," he said.

Ismail Sabri also noted that other issues needed to be clarified including the exact date of withdrawal submission, the enforcement of the statute as well as its effect to the country.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Ariff Mohd Yusof said the matter has been settled after he rejected the motion, following the government's decision to withdraw from the statute.

"Therefore, there is nothing urgent under Standing Order 18, so I rejected the motion," he said.- Star