BATU PUTEH RCI REPORT REVEALS WEAKNESSES, ELEMENTS OF BETRAYAL - PM ANWAR

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the handling of matters related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca), Middle Rocks, and South Ledge has not only revealed weaknesses in the handling of the issue, but also elements of betrayal, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that the mishandling of the Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge issue should not have occurred, as the country must defend every inch of its land to the fullest.

“The RCI revealed weaknesses in the handling of the (Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge) issue.

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“For me, any mistake involved in surrendering the nation’s sovereignty is a great betrayal to the country.

“This cannot be taken lightly,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Surau Al-Manar, Precinct 14, here today.

Anwar also emphasised that matters related to the sovereignty of the country are not trivial issues and must be given serious attention.

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“Any legal process must be respected, so we will see how it goes,” he said.

Earlier today, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul reportedly said that the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is scheduled to table the report at the Dewan Rakyat sitting next week. 

The RCI report was distributed to all Members of Parliament yesterday.

It was reported that the 217-page RCI report recommended that a criminal investigation be initiated against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad under Section 415(b) and Section 418 of the Penal Code.

-- BERNAMA