Batu Puteh RCI report redacted over diplomatic, security concerns, says Azalina

 

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the information in the redacted pages included matters related to defence, intelligence and other strategic issues. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

The pages blacked out in the royal commission of inquiry report on the Batu Puteh issue were to avoid risks to national security and damaging “sensitive” diplomatic relations with Singapore, the government said today.

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said also said the 47 pages were redacted to protect the privacy of people involved in the report.

“The information also includes matters related to defence, intelligence and other strategic issues,” Azalina said when winding up the debate on the RCI report she tabled in the Dewan Rakyat earlier.

“The RCI initially wanted the whole report to be made confidential, but the Madani government declassified it so it could be debated in Parliament and reviewed by a select committee.”

The RCI was set up earlier this year to see how the previous government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad handled the Batu Puteh dispute.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 2008 that the island belonged to Singapore. Malaysia had decided not to appeal the decision in 2018.

Azalina said the Batu Puteh case showed the need for better handling of matters related to sovereignty in the Cabinet.

She said the Batu Puteh issue had been placed under “other matters” at a Cabinet meeting, which was a mistake.

“The RCI had recommended that issues involving territorial sovereignty be tabled by the National Security Council to ensure proper discussion and decisions,” she said.

Azalina said the current government wants to be transparent, unlike the previous administration led by Mahathir.

“The key difference between the previous administration and the current Madani government is transparency.

“They kept their task force findings secret. We chose to share the RCI report so the public, especially the people of Johor, will know what happened. We want accountability, not secrecy,” she said.

Azalina also pointed to the plight of fishermen in her constituency of Pengerang, highlighting how territorial disputes like that of Batu Puteh had directly affected them.

She said Johor’s fishermen were being chased away by Singapore’s maritime agencies while fishing, which was a big concern.

The debate on the RCI saw heated speeches among 10 mostly opposition MPs, who called for the motion to debate the report to be dropped altogether as it appeared to be a witch hunt against Mahathir. Two backbenchers also took part in the debate.

No vote was taken on the motion, and the sitting ended with Azalina proposing a motion to adjourn the 3rd meeting of the 3rd session sine die.

The House had sat for 35 days beginning on Oct 14. - FMT