Yoursay: The political clowns in Rome Statute debate

YOURSAY | ‘What does it have to do with Malay privileges, the royalty, or even same-sex marriages?’

BN MPs protest after ex-ally says sultan's remarks off-limits

Fairnsquare: So BN lawmakers were up in arms in the Dewan Rakyat when they were told by their former colleague that they could not raise statements made by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar on the Rome Statute.

But first, these BN lawmakers must clarify exactly how the Rome Statute negatively impacts the right of the rakyat.

Since the international treaty governs the International Criminal Court (ICC), which conducts trials related to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression, this will be for the benefit of the people.

And since these lawmakers are elected by the people, they must explain the negatives that Putrajaya’s ratification of the treaty will bring. It seems like only BN condones such ‘genocidal’ acts against the rakyat.

The Wakandan: These opposition MPs should not be afraid of the Rome Statute if they are not going to commit genocide and war crimes. Only if they do, or intend to, will the statute apply.

Malaysian Citizen: So does anyone actually understand how the Rome Statute works? If it governs the ICC, what on earth does that have to do with Malay privileges, the royalty, or even same-sex marriages?

Are they asking for immunity for certain individuals if those individuals commit genocide or war crimes on their fellow citizens? You have to wonder if any of those opposing ratification even know what’s written in the statute.

The ICC can only prosecute cases of these four international crimes when states are unable or unwilling to do so themselves.

Indeed, this is truly the effect of six decades of celebrating mediocrity in Malaysia.

Certain individuals make completely unhinged linkages between the Rome Statute – which they seem to have conflated with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) – and some hypothetical ‘liberal’ treaty hatched in their own heads, ignoring inconvenient things like facts, which are then parroted by lawmakers in a seeming attempt to curry favour with the electorate.

And the cycle continues.

In any case, if BN lawmakers are so obeisant to royalty, why questioned the Rome Statute if Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah himself has been briefed twice over the issue, and even instructed Wisma Putra to explain the treaty to the public?

Anonymous 2251681440225023: BN lawmakers must think that the rakyat has forgotten how they made a circus of Parliament. And now they’re talking about the “august” House. My foot.

Hadi sees no issue with ratifying Rome Statute, invokes Dr M

RM2.6 Billion Turkey Haram: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is suddenly being so sweet to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, saying that Putrajaya's move to ratify the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC, is not a problem.

Can Hadi tell us what made him change his tune? Usually, someone who sings sky-high praises to another expects something in return, or has his or her Achilles heel known to the other.

This is very unusual from a fiery man to be so tame and timid when coming up against a 93-year-old.

Bad Head: Regardless of what you say, Hadi, the alleged RM90 million ‘donation’ from Umno will still be investigated.

Annonymous_1eb305b9: It is sad to see that Pakatan Harapan has to depend on PAS to support its policies, while the coalition’s leaders are busy fighting one another or their own principles.

Anonymous_1552474309: Hadi thinks that the Rome Statute isn’t a problem. But neither is Icerd. So why did he oppose it then? Just fishing for cheap political points?

PM says 'good', will be kept, 'funny' rejected with UN treaties

Anonymous_b3cdcd05: What is the relevance of the Rome Statute to same-sex marriages, as stated by Mahathir?

A sultan is crying foul over the violation of constitutional rights, Malay privileges and social contract, and Mahathir compounds the confusion by crowing about “funny” people.

The sexual orientation of Malaysians must not be a red herring to divert issues. The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community is rendered protection by international conventions.

Mahathir says the government will pick and choose what is to be implemented from international treaties. When doing so, it should not reject equality of race and religion that is the worldwide norm.

You have reservations on “funny” people, but none on racial and religious discrimination that is rejected by all civilised beings.

Steven Ong: A clever way to use “funny” to divert from racial discrimination, like the right to local universities and scholarships?

The discrimination against the right to freedom of faith is one of the most important issues affecting all Malaysians, as it forces all to accept what is viewed as good by the government.

This discriminates against those who have a different view of what constitutes goodness. Hence, laws are implemented to arrest and persecute those who have a different view of what is good.

This will retard the growth of Malaysia, as valuable time and resources will be spent arguing this and that, while the police will neglect their duties to prevent crime and arrest the real cheaters and thieves.

Anonymous 2215681440225523: These local 'heroes' must think that they are the only brilliant creatures to exist in this world, so much so that they never fail to parade their ignorance criticising international conventions which are not to their liking. What hypocrites.

RR: We are not talking of funny business. We are talking of the rule of law and that no one is above the law in a democracy.

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