ISKANDAR PUTERI: More than 1,000 Johoreans, dressed in white, participated in a peaceful gathering held at Dataran Mahkota, Kota Iskandar, yesterday, to show solidarity over the loss of Batu Puteh to Singapore.
At the gathering, the group also handed a memorandum, signed by 3,000 people, to the Johor Menteri Besar's chief private secretary Dr Joharudin Sameon@Mingan.
State Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros, said the purpose of the gathering was to demonstrate the consensus of the people of Johor in defending the country's sovereignty.
"This gathering serves as a symbol of our solidarity in protecting the dignity of the people of Johor.
"This is our moral responsibility to the nation and the state of Johor. Let history record that we have fulfilled this duty," he said in his speech during the gathering.
Meanwhile, the Johor Village Chiefs Association president Kahar Mashuri hoped that the government would take action against those responsible for allowing the country to lose Batu Puteh.
"An investigation has been conducted and there are individuals responsible. So why hasn't there been any follow-up with strict legal action? Those involved must be held accountable," he said.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner M. Kumarasan said the gathering was monitored by 120 police officers and personnel.
"The gathering proceeded smoothly and peacefully without any issues," he said.
On Dec 6, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Malaysia's withdrawal of its application to review the International Court of Justice's ruling on Batu Puteh's sovereignty as exposing weaknesses and betrayal of the country.
The RCI, chaired by Tun Md Raus Sharif was tasked with reviewing the handling of matters related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge.
The RCI, among its legal suggestions, recommended that a criminal investigation be launched against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The issue stems from a decision made by the government in 2018 to withdraw Malaysia's application to review the International Court of Justice's decision on the sovereignty of Batu Puteh.
At the time, the government was led by Dr Mahathir. In 2008, the ICJ ruled that Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore while Middle Rocks was awarded to Malaysia.
It also ruled that the ownership of South Ledge would be determined based on the delimitation of territorial waters.
Malaysia applied to review ICJ's ruling in 2017 but it was then withdrawn in May 2018.