Anwar said the government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad from May 2018 to February 2020 should have fought to the end for every inch of Malaysia’s territory.
“The RCI has revealed weaknesses, and from a certain angle, treachery.
“This is not something to be taken lightly. Any misconduct related to the handing over of our sovereignty is major treachery.
“But the legal process must be respected, so we will allow that to take place first,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers in Putrajaya.
The RCI’s declassified report, released yesterday, said Mahathir had unilaterally decided against proceeding with the applications to review and interpret the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) 2008 decision on Batu Puteh.
The RCI said the then prime minister had written to the solicitor-general on May 21, 2018, stating that “to my view, this effort (the applications) need not be continued”.
The solicitor-general then informed Singapore that Malaysia would be dropping both legal applications on May 23, 2018, before the Cabinet met and discussed the issue the same day.
The commission added that the Cabinet, in its meeting, “simply confirmed Mahathir’s views and opinions as the prime minister”.
The RCI recommended that a police report be filed against Mahathir, saying a criminal investigation could be initiated under Section 415(b) of the Penal Code for cheating.
In 2008, the ICJ awarded Middle Rocks to Malaysia and Batu Puteh to Singapore, while the ownership of South Ledge was left for determination based on the delimitation of territorial waters.
Putrajaya filed an application on Feb 3, 2017 for a review of the decision awarding Singapore sovereignty over Batu Puteh.
On June 30 the same year, Putrajaya filed an application to interpret the ICJ’s judgment to address its ambiguities and implications, particularly regarding the status of South Ledge.
However, upon wresting control of Putrajaya at the general election in May 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government, with Mahathir as prime minister, withdrew both applications before they came up for hearing in June 2018.