PUTRAJAYA - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad described the suggestion for a criminal investigation against him over the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Batu Puteh as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his reputation.
The former prime minister said the Malaysian government's move to withdraw its applications for a review and interpretation of the decision on May 23, 2018, was not made by him alone, but was a collective decision in a Cabinet meeting.
"If this is considered as a betrayal, then the entire Cabinet at the time, including former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, are also traitors," he said during a press conference here, today.
His two lawyers, Zainur Zakaria and Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali were also present.
He said the main reason for expressing that opinion was to ensure that Middle Rocks gets the government's attention.
"I have some experience in developing Pulau Layang-Layang in the waters off Sabah.
"From a small rock, we developed it to have a short landing strip where small planes could land, we built hotels, shops and made it a diving and tourism centre," he said.
He said Pulau Layang-Layang contributed to the country and did not lose any land, with its area increasing to 35 hectares.
"This island is now 7.5 kilometres(km) long and 2.2km wide. We can strengthen the nation's sovereignty. We just need to act, not just talk," he added.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim considered the results of the RCI into the handling of matters related to the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge as a great betrayal to the country.
On Thursday, the RCI recommended a criminal investigation to be initiated against Dr Mahathir for withdrawing the application to annul the International Court of Justice's ruling that gave Singapore rights over Batu Puteh.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir rejected the findings of the RCI report, claiming that there were many flaws in it.
"I want to ask, the secret is now open. Who agreed for it to be revealed? If it is now open and no longer secret, why did the government oppose my request in court for an open RCI?," he said.
Dr Mahathir also questioned the report's transparency, as 47 of the 217 pages were redacted.
"How can the people, through their representatives want discuss or ask questions if some pages of the report are redacted?," he added.
Dr Mahathir said he was ready to face any criminal investigation as recommended by the RCI report.
"If there is any (criminal) investigation against me, I am ready.
"Yes, this is a politically motivated act. The whole idea is to destroy me and label me as a traitor," he said.