THE federal government has been given a warning today that it will be an act of treachery if Malaysia ratifies international treaties that will reduce the powers of the Malay rulers.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor reminded Putrajaya of the social contract agreed during the formation of the nation whereby Malay rights and powers of the Malay rulers should not be diminished. 

“The rulers have privileges as stated in the law. They have their responsibilities to protect Islam and the Malays,” he said in his birthday message.

“Anyone who touches these powers accorded to the Malay rulers is not just breaking the law but is also a traitor.” 

He added that Putrajaya should be mindful of the nation’s sovereignty and people’s wellbeing before seeking to ratify international treaties or conventions. 

Sultan Ibrahim said the federal government should not simply ratify international conventions just to seek acceptance.

“In the end, it will only destroy our sovereignty and the people’s wellbeing.”

He said the government’s decisions to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) and accept the Rome Statute are unconstitutional as they affect the powers of the Malay rulers, Malay rights and sanctity of Islam.

He added that Johor is a sovereign and independent state, formed much earlier than Malaysia or its predecessor Federation of Malaya. 

“This means Johor has rights and powers in implementing certain things in accordance to the state and federal constitutions.

“And I as the ruler of this state has the right and power over my government, and carry the responsibility to protect the state and its people.” 

He added that the state’s power on Islam, water and natural resources, and land should not be questioned.

Earlier this week, Sultan Ibrahim cancelled a royal tea reception and state banquet that were part of his birthday celebration as he was saddened seeing his people suffering from the chemical waste pollution in Pasir Gudang.

The royal tea reception was scheduled for March 24 while the state banquet was on March 25.

The Johor palace has been against the Rome Statute that covers the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim wrote in his Facebook page that provisions of the statute are considered a threat to the position of the Malay rulers, in particular, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in contravention to the provisions under the Federal Constitution.

Recently, Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim has questioned Putrajaya’s ratification of the Rome Statute, saying it will affect the Agong and accused the federal government of bypassing the Conference of Rulers. 

In response, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad dismissed the statement made by Tunku Ismail as being his personal opinion, saying the prince is not an elected representative.

Established in 2002, the ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court, with the objective to end impunity against the perpetrators of the four most serious crimes of concern to the international community.  

Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the Agong Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has decreed him to dispel misinformation regarding the ICC Statute, including the claim that the Agong will be exposed to prosecution.

Saifuddin added that the Agong cannot be held responsible towards the four core international crimes covered by the statute: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. 

Putrajaya has backtracked from ratifying Icerd following objections from the Malay civil society and groups. – March 23, 2019