KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 -- Amid growing controversy over the Rome Statute, several Opposition lawmakers today asked the government to clarify if the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong had given his royal assent prior to Malaysia's signing of the international treaty.

They were dissatisfied with Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah's assertion in the Dewan Rakyat earlier that Malaysia need not be anxious as no leader will commit any of the four heinous crimes listed under the Rome Statute for which he or she would be tried in a world court.

"Did the Yang di-Pertuan Agong assent to the Rome Statute being signed?" Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican asked Saifuddin.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmaker also asked if the governmen...