Why did Putrajaya drop the 2018 ICJ bid on Pulau Batu Puteh?

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Putrajaya's 2018 Decision to Withdraw from the ICJ Bid on Pulau Batu Puteh Remains Unexplained

The federal government's 2018 decision to withdraw its bid to reclaim Pulau Batu Puteh at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been questioned, with no definitive explanation provided for the move. Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor has called for clarity, stating that abandoning the review was akin to admitting defeat without exhausting all legal avenues. This stance is further supported by the Johor Mentri Besar, Datuk Hasni Mohammad, who indicated that the state would back legal action if negligence is proven in the handling of the case.
Sultan Ibrahim Calls for Explanation on Dropping the Case

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has publicly demanded that the federal government clarify its reasoning behind the 2018 decision to cease efforts in pursuing the Pulau Batu Puteh claim at the ICJ. His Highness expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the case was dropped despite the discovery of "new evidence in our favour," preventing Malaysia from presenting its arguments. He questioned the perceived lack of importance placed on Johor's sovereignty by the federal administration at that time, drawing a parallel to how the loss of Langkawi would affect Kedah.
Special Task Force Established to Investigate the Issue

In response to the concerns raised, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the formation of a special task force to investigate the Pulau Batu Puteh issue. This task force, led by former attorney general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, has been given a six-month period to conduct its review and present findings and recommendations to the Cabinet. The objective is to uncover the reasons behind the previous administration's decision to abandon the legal review.
Johor Supports Legal Action Against Negligence

The Johor state government, through Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad, has pledged its support for any legal action that may arise if the special task force finds evidence of negligence in the handling of the Pulau Batu Puteh case. The state agrees with the principle of taking legal action, potentially under the "tort of misfeasance," against any parties found to have committed errors or negligence that led to the withdrawal of the ICJ bid. The Mentri Besar also conveyed the state's desire for an expedited process to bring responsible parties to justice.
Historical Context of the Federal Government at the Time

It is noted that the federal government at the time of the 2018 decision was led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, under the Pakatan Harapan coalition. Sultan Ibrahim's remarks suggest a questioning of the priorities and decisions made by this administration concerning national sovereignty and legal pursuits. The establishment of the special task force by the current government aims to address these historical queries and ascertain accountability.

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Why did Putrajaya drop the 2018 ICJ bid on Pulau Batu Puteh?

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