LETTER | The statement by Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah that Malaysia withdrew from ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to stymie a coup d’etat bid spurred on by powers behind the scenes is serious national security allegation.

It is vital that the government confronts this challenge, or it will continue to be held hostage by the deep state especially in terms of the political, institutional and economic reforms promised to the electorate, and its credibility as a moral voice in the global affairs.

In such a context, it is vital to expose who the deep state actors are through a White Paper in parliament. 

Action must be taken against those who are plotting to destabilise the democratically elected government. In the current global context, there should be no such thing as absolute immunity. 

True national sovereignty is based on a moral imperative that serves the common good, and is not about the privileges of the few. Unless this is understood we are far behind on what constitutes a civilised society.

Malaysia wanting to exit from the Rome Statute is a clear indication that it finds itself in a hypocritical position, where political considerations have been subdued by moral reasoning in domestic and international affairs. 

The message that it presents to world is that while it speaks about universal justice for Palestinians and the Rohingya, it does not want universal justice for itself.

While it condemns the massacre in Christchurch, its condemnation is basically due to the fact that it a Malay-Muslim majority country, rather than as a moral voice condemning all manners of terror attacks. 

This is done due to political reasons rather moral voice that goes beyond sectarian justice.

In fact by opting out of the Rome Statute, Malaysia has basically put the future of this country at the hands of those who could act with impunity in a multiethnic and religious society.

Therefore it is time that the Pakatan Harapan government expose the deep state actors through lawful actions, or it will continue be held hostage by this group of people who would continue to damage Malaysia's credibility.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.