Dr Mahathir fails to recuse Batu Puteh RCI chairman
Judge also denies ex-PM’s bid to open proceedings to public.
(The Vibes) – FORMER prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad failed to initiate judicial review applications regarding the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.
Dr Mahathir sought the recusal of RCI chairman Tun Md Raus Sharif and commissioners Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu and Datuk Mohammed Ridha Abdul Kadir, citing alleged conflicts of interest.
The former premier also requested that the proceedings be open to the public and that he be allowed to have his lawyers present when he testifies.
Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh, in delivering the verdict, said the high court has refused Dr Mahathir’s application to recuse Raus Sharif and two others from the RCI panel into Batu Puteh.
He also refused the former prime minister’s application for a public hearing of the RCI and his (Dr Mahathir’s) application to stay the RCI hearing pending the disposal of his judicial review.
However, he allowed leave for Dr Mahathir to proceed with one part of the judicial review, namely that his lawyers be present during the RCI.
