'Orchestrated' war crimes reason to oppose Rome Statute - TMJ

Orchestrated war crimes by parties wanting to see the fall of a country's royal institution is one reason the Rome Statute should be opposed, Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said today.

Tunku Ismail was responding to a Twitter user who pointed out that the Malay rulers should not worry about losing their relevance, as the Rome Statute only governs the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC tries four core international crimes, namely genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggression.

"Why should royals be protected against the four crimes? Fear none if one does no wrong," the Twitter user, using the handle @Drrafickba, had said.

In reply, Tunku Ismail wrote: "I'm not afraid & not the Agong. I'm trying to protect the King. What if there are orchestrated war crimes & such? Key word 'orchestrated', those wanting to menjatuhkan (bring down) sistem Diraja (royal institution) can do that, & the King takes the hit. Or is someone trying to be the commander in chief?" he said, without mentioning names.

Yesterday, Tunku Ismail claimed that Putrajaya failed to consult the Conference of Rulers when it decided to accede to the Rome Statute.

Read more: TMJ speaks for himself on Rome Statute concerns, says Mahathir

"I was told by his majesty DYMM Tuanku that the rulers were never consulted.

"If this was the case, you have undermined the conference of rulers," he had said in a Twitter posting.

Last Friday, Tunku Ismail had also claimed that the move would render the Malay rulers irrelevant and impact the status of Malays and Islam in Malaysia.

However, Wisma Putra had stated that the matter was presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and gave its assurance that the status of the monarchy would not be threatened by the Rome Statute.