AG gives UK example, says Queen Elizabeth not blamed for 'war crimes'

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and other Malay rulers will never be subjected to trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to their positions as constitutional monarchs, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas said today.

Speaking at a forum to discuss Malaysia's move to withdraw its accession to the Rome Statute, Thomas said this was as the ICC has a clearly defined jurisdiction against four serious crimes of international concerns and targeting its direct perpetrators.

"So for example, if war is declared, although the Agong is the supreme commander of our armed forces, the decision to go to war will always be made by the prime minister, the Cabinet and the minister of defence ...