KOTA KINABALU, Feb 13- The Barisan Nasional (BN) government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, has risen above “fixed deposit politics” to act sincerely in the interest of all Sabahans against the perennial problem of illegal immigrants by setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
Many state leaders, including Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and the people of Sabah alike have given the thumbs for the RCI, although some felt that the Federal government should have set up the RCI much earlier.
They regard the RCI as a panacea to cure the so-called “epidemic” of illegal migration to Sabah, once and for all, and commented that the setting up of the RCI was “better late then never”.
Apparently, Najib’s bold move in establishing the RCI has given a new lease of life to Sabahans who have been plagued by the issue which has been described as the ‘mother of all problems’.
In what is seen as a genuine effort to find a lasting solution, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has assured the people of Sabah that the government would act on any report or resolution taken by the RCI on illegal
immigrants in the state.
Gani was quoted as saying in Tawau recently that “where there are criminal elements involved, action would be taken, and wrongs will be righted”.
“This is the beginning of a better tomorrow for Sabah and the country. Najib has obviously listened to what the people of Sabah wanted – the RCI. We are lucky to have a courageous Prime Minister (Najib) who gives hope to Sabahans, and in return we should give our unwavering support for this noble cause,” State
Umno liaison deputy chief Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak told Bernama, here. Salleh, who is also State Legislative Assembly Speaker, said this showed that the BN government was serious about solving the problem of illegal
immigrants, including the issuance of problematic identity cards (IC).
“Based on my own observation, it appears that there is no such thing as a Project IC. It’s more of a syndicate (involving several individuals) out to make fast buck,” he said.
He said the citizenship process for people who have lived here for a specific period of time and who qualified to become a citizen, was within the law or was done according to the stipulated procedures.
“It has nothing to do with the voting rights. Former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees have testified (in court), and as result of their wrongdoings, the government had detained them for security reasons (in the past before they were eventually released),” he said.
In concurring with Salleh’s views, secretary-general of an ethnic association called — United Sabah Tindal Organisation (Usto) Kanul Gindol said Malaysians should appreciate the bold step taken by Najib to set up the RCI,
aimed at investigating an influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah and the issuance of Malaysian documents to these people.
According to him, the illegal immigrant issue has been a thorn in the flesh since the late 1970s, and problems related to it were being passed on from one Prime Minister to another. Kanul said Najib decided to take the bull by its horn by setting up the RCI that promises to expose the mechanics and possibly the pivotal characters in a scheme that has threatened the very foundation of the Malay Federation.
Najib, in announcing the details and terms of reference on the setting up of the RCI on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah here on Aug 11, last year, said it would be given six months to complete the investigation. The Prime Minister was quoted as saying that the investigation would focus on whether the issuance of the blue identity cards or citizenship to the immigrants was based on the law. The commission will also investigate whether those who obtained the blue identity card or temporary identification receipt (blue) or citizenship illegally, were registered in the Electoral Roll, he added.
Apart from that, Najib said the RCI would also investigate whether the relevant authorities had taken any action or made efforts to improve the standard operating procedure (SOP), methods and regulations to avoid
non-uniformity with the law, with regard to the matter.
Further investigation would be needed in matters pertaining to the SOP, methods and regulations on the issuance of the blue identity cards or citizenship to immigrants in Sabah, by taking into account international
standard and norms used in Malaysia, he added. The RCI, headed by former Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong, panel members Universiti Malaysia Sabah ex-vice chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon, Kuala Lumpur ex-police chief Datuk Henry Chin Poy Wu, former Sabah state secretary Datuk Kee Mustafa and ex-Sabah deputy chief minister and former state attorney-general Tan Sri Herman J.
Luping, has started its proceedings.
Kanul, who is also a journalist cum activist, opined that the opposition would have loved to see Najib fail to act on the calls for the RCI.
“But Najib again failed the opposition. Malaysian opposition leaders who aspire to lead the country should learn from this man (Najib), that if they want to lead they must show exceptional characters that convince people that you mean what you say, and you only say what you mean.
He added that the presence of illegal immigrants from southern Philippines and Indonesia had changed the political demography of Sabah and poses a threat to national security.
For local-based parties like Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), UPKO (United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation) and even Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), that have been pressuring the Federal leaders from the 1980s to put a stop to the issuance of Malaysian documents to these immigrants, this must be the day they have been waiting for when finally the RCI was set up before
general election.
On this note, besides Najib, Sabahans have PBS, Upko and PBRS to thank for, said Kanul, adding that there might have been a delay but as the saying goes it is “better late than never”.
A die-hard PBS supporter, Solinah Sambag of Kiulu, said she still remembered vividly during the 1985 state election, the then newly formed PBS led by Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan (now Tan Sri) was vocal in highlighting the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
“PBS under Pairin has been fighting the illegal immigrants problem for almost 28 years and it looks like PBS’ endless struggles have not been in vain.
“It’s just like a dream come true. Now, there is light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to Najib for giving us the elusive light of happiness,” said Solinah, hoping for the best out of the RCI.
BERNAMA
