PUTRAJAYA: The negligence that led to Malaysia losing Batu Puteh is a betrayal to the nation.
Acknowledging the reality of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said no country in the world would easily give up its territory.
Instead, he said, nations would go to war and sacrifice thousands of lives to defend even a small area.
"Yes, we accept the reality of the ICJ decision, losing Batu Puteh, a small island. But this negligence amounts to a betrayal of the country.
"That is why the Madani government agrees to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to determine what actually happened.
"Why should this great nation, our beloved Malaysia, allow such a betrayal to occur so easily without using legal means to defend our rights?" he said during the National Day Perdana address at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today.
Present were Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar said said that if the people consider the loss of Batu Puteh was only a minor issue, then they had a problem with their attitude as Malaysians, because such a thing has never happened in history.
"Therefore, we will present this in Parliament and allow open debate both inside and outside of Parliament.
"This is to serve as a lesson and reminder to future generations that this country was built through hardship, sweat, tears and the blood of fighters who fought against colonisers for hundreds of years and cannot be sacrificed for our interests," he said.
He reminded youth to learn, seek enlightenment themselves, as well as avoid being used for racial or religious purposes by those seeking power and influence.
"Seek the truth, uphold justice, safeguard the nation and elevate the country's status.
"This is the task of the younger generation to ensure the safety of the nation and its people," he said.