Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim has lauded the signing of the Rome Statute, but questioned the haste with which it was done.

“The only drawback is that the government appeared to be in a hurry. The matter was not brought to Parliament and to the Conference of Rulers before the Rome Statute was signed.

“The government should always be aware that Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy rather than autocracy and that the people and Parliament should be consulted.

“Malaysia is also a constitutional monarchy and the institutions of the rulers also need to be respected and consulted before any international law that binds the government is signed,” Hassan (photo, above) said in a press statement.

“If Malaysia wishes to speak out and play an active role internationally against genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression, it is desirable that we sign the Rome Statute.”

He added that the country would have no locus standi to push the International Criminal Court to act on massacres against Palestinians, Bosnian and Rohingya, for example, had it not signed the convention.

Hassan emphasised his view that signing the Rome Statute was a good move.

“The Rome Statute is not contrary to the Federal Constitution. It does not threaten the special position of the Malays and Islam. It also does not threaten the institution of monarchy in this country,” he said.

Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had slammed Putrajaya in his birthday speech last Saturday, accusing the government of violating the Federal Constitution by signing the Rome Statute.