Batu Puteh: Three cabinet ministers lied, says Tun M
The former prime minister said he felt ashamed to have had such individuals in his Cabinet.
PUTRAJAYA - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dismisses accusations over allegations made by three former Cabinet ministers, accusing them of lying about the decision to withdraw the application for the review and interpretation of Batu Puteh.
The former prime minister said he felt ashamed to have had such individuals in his Cabinet.
"The leaked Cabinet minutes show that the statements made by these three ministers are untrue and false.
"I feel ashamed because they were part of my Cabinet at the time, but they are lying," he said when speaking to reporters after flagging off the Post-Flood Humanitarian Mission Convoy here on Tuesday.
Dr Mahathir was responding to claims made by former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, former defence minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
In a joint statement, the trio alleged that Dr Mahathir made the decision to withdraw the case in writing to the Attorney General without consulting the Cabinet.
However, Cabinet minutes shared by Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chief Whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that the decision was a collective one.
The controversy reignited following the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Batu Puteh, Batuan Tengah and Tubir Selatan.
The report suggested criminal investigations could be initiated against Dr Mahathir under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code after Malaysia lost Batu Puteh to Singapore due to the 2018 decision to withdraw the case.
Dr Mahathir emphasised that if investigations were to proceed, all 13 Cabinet ministers from 2018 should also be called in to explain themselves.
Reiterating his stance, Mahathir maintained that his decisions adhered to proper procedure.
"In the Cabinet, there were 13 members because we had just formed the government. I believe that what I did was in accordance with the rules, but they still claim that the decision was not made by the Cabinet and that I made the decision alone.
"If I were to make a decision, I would not use the term ‘opinion.’ I would say that we decided not to proceed with the case," he said.
