DR Mahathir Mohamad today reiterated his objection to Mohamed Apandi Ali being named as chairman of the Pulau Batu Puteh special task force, claiming there is conflict of interest.

The former prime minister said he had recorded his objection to Apandi’s appointment through a letter dated May 23.

Dr Mahathir said the conflict of interest stems from the fact that Apandi was removed as attorney-general when the former became the seventh prime minister.

“I had not extended his (Apandi) services when I became the seventh prime minister.

“Apandi had openly criticised my decision and that of the Pakatan Harapan government not to appeal the International Court of Justice’s decision (to award the island to Singapore),” Dr Mahathir said in a statement.

Yesterday, de facto law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Putrajaya does not see a need to remove Apandi from chairing the special task force.

He said this after Dr Mahathir walked out in protest during an interview by the task force, saying that the former AG has a conflict of interest in the matter.

Wan Junaidi said the Langkawi lawmaker should have taken his reservations over Apandi chairing the task force to the government earlier.

“The government sees no issue with the cabinet’s decision on October 29, 2021, to appoint Apandi as the chairman of the special task force as due consideration was made in setting up the task force,” Wan Junaidi had said.

“It is impossible for me to simply remove Apandi as the task force chairman without any justification when the cabinet has already decided to appoint him.”

Dr Mahathir said Apandi is the petitioner and complainant in this case and appointing him to lead the task force is contrary to the “rule of law” and “natural justice”, which states clearly “no man shall be the judge of his own cause”.

“The law minister, and Apandi in particular, should understand the question of his (Apandi) position if he is really an educated person in matters of law and rule of law.

“He (Apandi) is a former Federal Court judge and former AG. So, Apandi should remain as petitioner and complainant or a witness.”

Dr Mahathir said his objections were ignored and instead he was asked to attend a rescheduled interview session on Tuesday, where he was informed of the appointment of Dr Baljit Singh Sidhu and Tengku Ahmad Fuad Tengku Ahmad Burhanuddin to the task force.

He also said another letter was sent on June 21 to apply for a resolution on Apandi’s position, as he should be a witness.

“I also objected to the appointment of Baljit, who was counsel to Apandi in his case of suing the Malaysian government and I over the termination of his position as AG.

“Again there was no answer to my request for resolution and objection. The objections were made after I received legal advice from my lawyers.”

He said that his objection was never answered until yesterday and the reason given by the law minister was that he was late in raising the objection.

“Was the law minister not informed of my initial objections?”

Dr Mahathir added that he is willing to cooperate in any proceedings or interviews if the committee does not consist of people with self interests.  

“This is my right by law. I also feel even more disappointed when there are law ministers who still do not understand the basics of the law, especially in issues involving sovereignty and country.” – June 30, 2022.