Did Mahathir act alone in the Batu Puteh decision?

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Mahathir Claims Cabinet Was Aware of Batu Puteh Decision, Not Solely Responsible

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has asserted that he did not act alone in the decision-making process regarding Malaysia's claim over Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge. He contends that the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the matter was convened with the intent to single him out and assign him sole blame for the loss of the claim. Dr Mahathir stated that all Cabinet members at the time were briefed on the issue and implied that their silence indicated agreement with his actions.
Cabinet Briefed on Batu Puteh Matter

Dr Mahathir maintained that the entire Cabinet was informed about the Batu Puteh issue. He specifically listed several former ministers, including Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Lim Guan Eng, who were present during the Cabinet meeting when he raised the matter. He argued that if any of them had objections, they should have voiced them at that time, suggesting their current silence implies tacit approval of the decisions made.
RCI Accused of Secrecy and Targeted Investigation

The former prime minister alleged that the RCI hearings were conducted in secrecy, creating a narrative that positioned him as the sole individual responsible for the outcome. He further claimed that the RCI report contained significant redacted sections, obscuring crucial information. Dr Mahathir suggested that the commission appeared to be selectively calling witnesses to engineer a specific result, focusing on fault-finding against him rather than examining the collective role of the Cabinet.
International Court of Justice Decision and Legal Recommendations

Dr Mahathir reiterated that Malaysia had brought the case concerning Pedra Branca (Batu Puteh) before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and its decision must be respected. The RCI report, however, recommended a criminal investigation against him under Sections 415(b) and 418 of the Penal Code. This recommendation stemmed from his 2018 decision to withdraw Malaysia's application to review the ICJ's ruling, which in 2008 had determined Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore, Middle Rocks to Malaysia, and South Ledge's ownership was contingent on territorial water delimitation. The RCI did not recommend a civil suit against him due to the statute of limitations.

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Did Mahathir act alone in the Batu Puteh decision?

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