Why is ruler opposed to Rome Statute, ask forum panellists

Lee Chi Leong Sheridan Mahavera Mikha Chan Lee Chi Leong, Sheridan Mahavera, Mikha Chan Updated 5 years ago · Published on 27 Apr 2019 6:14PM · 7 Comments

Syed Husin Ali (third from left) delivering his speech during a forum on the Rome Statute at Universiti Malaya today. He says it appears that a 'southern ruler' seemed threatened by the treaty's ratification. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, April 27, 2019.

A MALAY ruler from a “certain southern state” became the object of debate at a forum on the Rome Statute in Kuala Lumpur today, with panellists questioning the unnamed ruler’s motives for opposing the international treaty.

Academic Syed Husin Ali questioned whether the ruler’s objection to the treaty was because of allegations on social media that his royal family was being investigated for possible crimes.

Although the ruler was never named, the audience in the standing room-only lecture theatre appeared to intimate his identity, given that the royal figure had been a vocal and public opponent of the Pakatan Harapan government’s plans to ratify the international treaty.

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had openly criticised the Rome treaty, saying that the Malay rulers and the positions of Malays and Islam would no longer be relevant if Putrajaya signs it.

But at the forum today, legal and foreign affairs experts took turns to show that those arguments were baseless as constitutional monarchs were not held liable for the actions of their elected governments.

The treaty and the International Criminal Court that it creates also did not have jurisdiction over the special position of Malays or Islam.

Former diplomat and G25 member Noor Farida Ariffin also revealed how the former Barisan Nasional cabinet did not object to the treaty’s ratification and she had personally led the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s efforts to implement it.

“However, a certain royal used emotive arguments to provoke the Malays by saying the Rome Statute was against the position of the Malays, Islam and Malay rulers,” she said.

But the ruler, who Farida did not name, did not detail in what way the treaty would violate all these institutions.

“It’s a total misrepresentation of Islam because the Rome treaty is against war crimes and genocide. Islam does not condone any of these crimes,” Farida said at the forum.

Syed Husin, who is a former senator, said it appeared that “the southern ruler” seemed threatened by the treaty’s ratification.

“I myself have asked why is he feeling threatened, because I am from his state and he is also my ruler. I have no answer to this but something I recently read of social media provides a clue.”

Syed Husin then proceeded to read out a Facebook post titled “end of the road” that claimed to describe efforts by a prominent human rights lawyer based in London who had been documenting and investigating abuses and crimes allegedly perpetrated by the Johor royal family.

“I hope that this article is not true. But if it is, this may be the reason why some people are afraid of the Rome statute,” he said. – April 27, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Well we will know soon enough .... the fat boy in yellow should be put in his rightful place to stop his crowing.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • One must remember that the current occupant of the palace in the south knows all too much about treaties as their fore fathers did back in 1855 when one cabinet minister of the state out smart Sultan Ali. Thus any treaties that may harm their linage to remain in the palace is deem as a treat. Most of us remember what one former occupant of the palace did and due to that incident TDM introduced that they too had too faced the music and this two father and son will never ever forget what TDM did so it goes without saying anything that comes from TDM is bad news too them no matter what. They keep on saying the state interest, well lets look at the kind of back room deals they have accumulated from the state affairs.

    Posted 5 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • End.of the road...end of respect.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • The position of the 'Malays, Islam and Malay Rulers" are always used to stop any meaningful discussion and progress in the country. These words have started to instil more 'fear' than 'love' . Even using them or reading about them cast a dark shadow or nightmare for the future. During my youth all these existed peacefully and were reasons of pride and love to everyone. What has happened to Malaysia?

    Posted 5 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

  • Why does one ruler keep saying " for the people.." but keep saying n doing stuff which go against the aspirations of the people?

    Posted 5 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

    • Nobody can stop him from saying that.

      Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • All of them are Not so Clever People.

    Posted 5 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply