MALAYSIA has officially withdrawn from the Rome Statute signatory list with the United Nations (UN) yesterday acknowledging the pullout in a statement.

The UN secretary-general said the minister of foreign affairs submitted a notification of withdrawal from the treaty that establishes the International Criminal Court (ICC) on April 29.

“The notification received from the minister of foreign affairs of Malaysia reads as follows: ‘the government of Malaysia has decided to withdraw its instrument of accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on April 5, 2019.

“Malaysia, therefore, is rescinding its letter of accession and that this withdrawal should take effect immediately.

“Notwithstanding the above, Malaysia remains committed to the rule of law and to bring to justice the perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes; and crime of aggression.

“This is in line with the policy of the new government to firmly espouse the principles of truth, human rights, rule of law, justice, good governance, integrity and accountability,” António Guterres said in the statement.

Despite Putrajaya’s decision to withdraw from the treaty, it was still listed in the Rome Statute signatory list on the UN website until yesterday.

Malaysia withdrew from the Rome Statute on April 5 after objections by the opposition and some members of the royalty.

Earlier this month, Sekretariat Suara Rakyat chairman Lokman Noor Adam warned that a million will march on June 15 if the government fails to confirm its withdrawal from the Rome Statute by month-end.

Last month, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Putrajaya would not ratify the Rome Statute due to “political confusion” surrounding the issue.

“This is not because we are against it, but because of the political confusion over what it entails, caused by people with vested interests.”

Malaysia on March 4 signed the treaty and submitted it to the UN secretary-general. The country is allowed to withdraw before next month. – May 16, 2019.