KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 — The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) tasked with examining the handling of the sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca), Middle Rocks, and South Ledge cannot punish any party involved in the case as this is not within its jurisdiction.
Instead, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the RCI's formation aims to serve as a fact-finding mission to ensure the information gathering process can be carried out effectively, thus resolving arising issues faced by the special task force.
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Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said speaks at a press conference after visiting the child interview centre at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, on September 12, 2023. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
“Punishment is not within the RCI's jurisdiction. It cannot impose punishment. It only has the power to impose punishment for contempt if someone is summoned but refuses to present themselves (before the RCI),” she said during the Dewan Negara session today, in response to Senator Tan Sri Mohamad Fatmi Che Salleh.
On February 14, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia consented to the RCI's formation to review with immediate effect the matters related to the handling of cases involving the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge.
The RCI's establishment is in line with the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950 (Act 119) with former Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif as its chairman.
Azalina said the RCI investigation's findings will be brought and presented to the Cabinet to determine the outcomes and punishments if necessary, before being comprehensively presented to the King.
“The Madani government is committed to presenting the findings to Parliament so both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara can see what actually happened, why this happened, and what should be done so the issue does not recur,” she said.
In response to Fatmi's original question about the benefits to be gained from the establishment of the RCI, Azalina said the RCI's terms of reference clearly allow it to conduct investigations smoothly to ensure the truth about the issue can be uncovered.
“Among the RCI terms of reference is to obtain further evidence related to the case, review, examine, and provide opinions if any party involved has violated any laws, work norms, or administrative directives in carrying out their responsibilities.
“It will also assess, identify, and make recommendations regarding legislative and non-legislative actions which can be taken and to prepare a report containing all the information for the Cabinet’s consideration,” she said.
Presently, approximately 20 to 30 per cent of the investigation has been conducted by the RCI, and it is understood that several individuals and witnesses will be summoned after Hari Raya Aidilfitri to testify before the RCI in regard to the case.
— Bernama
