KUALA LUMPUR: Former Attorney General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali has voiced his support for the Royal Commission of Inquiry's (RCI) recommendation to initiate a criminal investigation into former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The RCI, which was tasked with investigating the handling of issues concerning the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge, proposed that Dr Mahathir be investigated under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code.
This provision, which addresses cheating and dishonesty, could lead to penalties under Sections 417 and 418.
According to the RCI's findings, Malaysia lost its sovereignty over Batu Puteh to Singapore following a 2018 decision during Dr Mahathir's administration.
"We lost Batu Puteh forever because of him (Dr Mahathir)," Apandi said.
He also recalled that Dr Mahathir did not consult him when the government withdrew its application to reverse the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) decision that awarded Batu Puteh to Singapore in 2018.
Apandi further alleged that he had been compelled to take a 30-day leave by the then-Chief Secretary to the Government during this time.
Appointed Attorney General in July 2015, Apandi succeeded Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, whose service was terminated in July 2015 due to health reasons.
Apandi's tenure ended in June 2018 when he was replaced by Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, who was appointed on Dr Mahathir's recommendation.
The RCI proceedings were triggered after Malaysia lost Batu Puteh to Singapore, following Dr Mahathir's cabinet decision in 2018 to withdraw the application to review the ICJ's ruling.
The final declassified report was submitted to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia at Istana Negara by RCI chairman Tun Md Raus Sharif on Aug 12.
Following the findings, the RCI recommended that its secretary file a police report to begin an investigation.
The report, which was signed by seven commission members and chaired by former Chief Justice Md Raus, said that Dr Mahathir could face investigation under Section 415(b) for allegedly deceiving the cabinet and manipulating the government into withdrawing the application, a decision believed to have been made unilaterally without cabinet approval.