INTERVIEW | When Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad addressed the press by himself to announce Malaysia's withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, there was speculation that some members of the cabinet were in disagreement.
However, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, who attended the cabinet meeting before the announcement, assured that all the ministers were behind Mahathir, and that the solo press meet was the prime minister's decision.
"Well, the prime minister decided to have that press conference in that way.
"The thing is this, you work at the behest of the prime minister. So when the prime minister says he wants to do a press conference – he wants to do a press conference.
"He knows best when he wants the ministers with him, how many ministers, and which ministers to come to the press conference," he told Malaysiakini in an interview.
Mahathir, in the press conference on Friday, said while there was no issue with the Rome Statute, Malaysia would withdraw from it due to the confusion created by "one particular person who wants to be free to beat up people."
"And if he beats up people again, I will send the police to arrest him, I don't care who he is," he added.
The prime minister also claimed that there was an attempt to get the rulers to sign an order against him, which he said was unsuccessful.
Asked if he was referring to a prince from a southern state, he said it was up to people to guess.
Events leading to cabinet decision
Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail, who has been claiming that the Rome Statute would threaten the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malays and Islam, had on Tuesday met with the Conference of Rulers to provide a briefing.
Briefing the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Malaysia, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah and the Conference of Rulers. Closer to the truth...
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Recollecting the events leading up to the cabinet decision on Friday, Saifuddin said he too had an informal meeting with the Conference of Rulers on Tuesday after receiving consent from the cabinet.
He added that others who met with the Conference of Rulers separately on that day included Armed Forces chief Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas and Universiti Teknologi Mara law professor Rahmat Mohamad.
However, Saifuddin said he was not at liberty to disclose what was discussed.
On Friday, Mahathir met with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as is tradition before the cabinet meeting, according to Saifuddin.
The prime minister then raised the issue of Rome Statute in the cabinet meeting.
Saifuddin did not disclose the contents of the decision, but said the outcome was a unanimous decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute.
He said while some ministers did speak up, they ultimately understood why the decision had to be made.
"I think we all know what's happening and where it was coming from, the reason we made the decision. The cabinet is always like that," he said. - Mkini
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