High Court dismisses Dr Mahathir's bid for open Batu Puteh RCI proceedings

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here today dismissed Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's application for a judicial review seeking open proceedings for the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the Handling of the Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge Sovereignty Issues.

Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh also dismissed the former prime minister's request to prevent Tun Md Raus Sharif from acting as chairman of the RCI, as well as to block Datuk Dr. Baljit Singh Sidhu and Datuk Mohammed Ridha Abd Kadir from serving as RCI members.

"The court also denied the applicant's (Dr. Mahathir's) request to postpone the RCI proceedings until the final resolution of the judicial review application," said the judge.

Dr. Mahathir filed the application on June 5, naming Md Raus and his deputy, Tan Sri Zainun Ali, as the first and second respondents.

The third to eighth respondents are RCI members Baljit Singh, Datuk Dr. Johan Shamsuddin Sabaruddin, Prof. Datin Dr. Faridah Jalil, Mohammed Ridha, Dickson Dollah, and RCI Secretary Zamri Misman.