Pulau Batu Puteh Loss: National Betrayal and Sovereignty Issues

The recent remarks by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the Majlis Amanat Perdana Hari Kebangsaan 2024 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, have stirred a significant national discourse. His statement regarding the loss of Pulau Batu Puteh has been perceived as a serious consequence of negligence, which he described as a betrayal to the nation.

Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the gravity of such a loss by pointing out that no country willingly parts with even the smallest element of its territory. His poignant reminder that nations across the globe often engage in wars, risking countless lives, to protect their sovereign boundaries, underlines the importance of vigilance in national territorial matters.

Addressing the historical outcome of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision, which awarded rights over Batu Puteh to Singapore, the Prime Minister stressed the need to reflect upon the oversight that led to such an important territorial concession.

To delve deeper into this issue, Anwar highlighted the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the handling of matters related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, as well as Middle Rocks and South Ledge. This initiative is aimed at uncovering the circumstances that resulted in Malaysia losing its claim over the island.

Anwar further indicated the government’s intention to present the issue to Parliament, encouraging a comprehensive discussion. He expressed a desire for this situation to serve as a crucial lesson, reminding the nation of its formation through the sacrifices and struggles of its people against colonial powers over centuries.

The importance of this inquiry was echoed by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional Reform, who confirmed that the RCI report had already been presented in a Cabinet meeting by Tun Md Raus Sharif. Azalina underscored the Cabinet’s deep concern for national sovereignty, which has led to the decision to table the commission’s findings in Parliament.

Historically, the ICJ’s decision on May 23, 2008, designated Singapore as the holder of rights over Batu Puteh, while Middle Rocks was awarded to Malaysia. The fate of South Ledge was left to be determined based on maritime boundaries. This ruling, still a point of contention, underscores the necessity for continuous and vigilant diplomatic and legal efforts to safeguard national interests.

Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks strike at the core of national pride and the sovereignty struggles that define Malaysia’s past and present. The dialogue surrounding Batu Puteh serves as a critical reminder of the perpetual need for diligence in safeguarding a nation’s territorial integrity.