Reintroduce Rome Statute through Parliament

Patriot shares the disappointment, as expressed by G25 Malaysia, that the government has yielded to pressure from dissenting groups and decided to withdraw the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) after acceding to it.

This makes it a double flip-flop after what happened to International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

However, after reading the various statements from ministers and those in the Pakatan Harapan government and observing the events that happened, Patriot understands the big picture and fully agrees with the prime minister’s decision to withdraw from its decision to accede to the Rome Statute.

It appears that the whole episode of the protest against ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC has been staged, with the ulterior motive to bring down the democratically elected government or the prime minister.

It is doubtful that those street protesters have the slightest comprehension of the Rome Statute of the ICC and how it challenges our Constitution and the position of the Malay rulers.

As in most cases of a sinister campaign, first a mob-for-hire group is mobilised. Or in the usual modus operandi of the opposition parties, a spin master concocts a make-real story. Next, the person or politicians who are the mastermind(s) move in to wreak havoc taking advantage of the mob or spun story.

Academics may be solicited to give a narrow interpretation of the meaning of the supreme commander of the country’s armed forces. These are co-called armchair thinkers who do not understand what a war entails. Even if their officially unsolicited views are correct, in the event of a war, it will be the officers and men of the security forces at the front line, the rakyat, and the whole nation that will perish first. They will die protecting king and country.

Any coercion of our democratically elected government or the prime minister to step down through sinister means or by force is against the will of the people. Patriot will not stand idle watching such irresponsible and undemocratic conduct.

In the event the situations turn untenable, Patriot is confident that our inspector general of police and the chief of defence forces will remain neutral and act for the collective good of our nation.

Regarding the Rome Statute of the ICC, Patriots, like G25 Malaysia, believes that it should be openly discussed and debated across all strata of society and in institutions of higher learning. It should also be given wide media coverage.

Ultimately, with the people’s full understanding of the issues, the matter can be brought to Parliament through elected representatives, through a proper democratic process.

Retired Brigadier General Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji is president of Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (National Patriots Association).

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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