PUTRAJAYA (Dec 13): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the handling of matters related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge was not aimed at taking revenge against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Anwar said the narrative of vengeance should not be raised in the issue, especially by the opposition.

"There is no such thing [as revenge]. The special task force was set up before my time. It was when Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was the prime minister. The ministers [then] were Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan. Their (the special task force) findings were far worse. Don't play [the revenge narrative]," Anwar said.

The prime minister told reporters this after Friday prayers at Surau Darul Ulum, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Putrajaya, Presint 11, here on Friday.

On Oct 8, 2021, the Cabinet back then agreed to establish a special task force to review the laws related to Batu Puteh.

Anwar reiterated that the RCI was meant to defend the country's sovereignty.

"This is a matter of territory...how could it be? Is there a country that allows [its territory] to be handed over so easily?" he asked.

On Thursday, several opposition Members of Parliament claimed that the Batu Puteh RCI procedure was vindictive.

Asked if Mahathir should be subject to action as recommended by the RCI, Anwar said: "I am not suggesting anything. I leave that to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC)."

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