International Criminal Court (Source: Intabaza.com)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamadannounced on April 5 that Kuala Lumpur would withdraw from ratifying the RomeStatute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking at a pressconference at the Prime Minister’s Office, Mahathir said that the decision cameafter political confusion caused by groups with a vested interest to makeadvantage of this issue to disunite the nation.
According to him,several opposition politicians caused confusions on people’s minds that the Statutewill affect the sovereignty of the country's Malay Rulers.
Malaysia is aconstitutional monarchy with nine hereditary rulers who take turn to become thecountry's ceremonial head of state.
Foreign MinisterSaifuddin Abdullah signed the ICC founding treaty on March 4 after Malaysia’sCabinet approved the move, making the country the 124th member of the courtsince its establishment in 2002.
According to the newgovernment that started to take power in May last year, by joining the ICC,Malaysia can now play an important role in issues related to crimes againsthumanity.
The ICC is the world’sonly permanent war crimes court and aims to prosecute the worst abuses whennational courts are unable or unwilling.
However, the tribunalin The Hague has come under fire over high-profile acquittals. Burundi becamethe first country to quit the court in 2017 and the Philippines has alsoannounced its intention to withdraw from the court.-VNA
VNA
