KUALA LUMPUR - The position of Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali as the chairman of a special task force reviewing the Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge should have been raised before his appointment was made by the government, said Law minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said the government is not able to disqualify Apandi who was the attorney-general when the case was withdrawn without any justification.
This comes a day after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad walked out of an interview at the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) in protest against Apandi remaining as chairman, telling reporters he would not cooperate until the former attorney-general was replaced.
Wan Junaidi said the committee's aim is to review the case and investigate the withdrawal of the appeal case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
On Feb 3, 2017, Putrajaya filed an application to review the May 23, 2008 decision of ICJ that Singapore had sovereignty over Batu Puteh.
However, in 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government under Mahathir withdrew the application before the case came up for hearing on June 11.
Wan Junaidi said the special committee wanted to listen differing views over the sovereignty case after the government pulled back the appeal.
The minister added he is disappointed with the Langkawi MP for refusing to cooperate over the issue, stating that the committee will continue with their commitment and responsibility to produce a final report on the case.