Dr Mahathir Mohamad may be advised to decline participation in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to review matters related to the cases involving the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge if it continues to be chaired by former chief justice Md Raus Sharif.

Mahathir’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid, said he has no choice but to advise Mahathir against joining the RCI, on grounds that Raus has a conflict of interest in the case.

“The RCI should be seen as...