Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has slammed Putrajaya in his birthday speech, accusing them of violating the Federal Constitution by signing the Rome Statute.

Sultan Ibrahim said this, along with the attempt to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd), had touched on the monarchy, Malay privileges, and the sanctity of Islam.

"Anyone who touches on the rights and powers of a monarch or state government has violated national laws and can be considered traitors.

"The federal government's intention to ratify Icerd and sign the Rome Statute is a move that is against the Federal Constitution because it touches on the powers of the monarch, Malay special privileges, and the sanctity of Islam in this country," he said today.

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail previously accused Putrajaya of undermining the Conference of Rulers when it proceeded to accede to the treaty without prior consultation.

He had claimed that the move would render the Malay rulers irrelevant and impact the status of Malays and Islam in Malaysia.

Wisma Putra had previously stated that the matter was presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

It had also stressed that that the position of the monarchy will not be threatened by signing the statute.

The Rome Statute governs the International Criminal Court (ICC), which tries four core international crimes – genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. 

Sultan Ibrahim said Putrajaya must remember the social contract on which Malaya was built on.

"The government must remember the social contract in the history of forming Malaya, where the privileges of Malays and the powers of the Agong and Malay rulers can't be touched or reduced.

"As such, I wish to remind the government to not follow any international conventions to get recognition from outsiders, but will, in the end, destroy national sovereignty and threaten the peace of its own people," he added.

Previously Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had taken a swipe at Tunku Ismail for criticising Putrajaya's move to sign the Rome Statute.

"He is not an elected representative. He is only speaking for himself," Mahathir said.

Meanwhile, Putrajaya had backed down on plans to ratify Icerd after protests from Malay groups including PAS and Umno.

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