SAPP Youth holds peaceful protest on RCI report

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Youth yesterday held a peaceful protest in Chong Thien Vun Park and Gaya Street, calling for the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report to be tabled as soon as possible.

Despite the big presence of police, it did not dampen the spirit of more than 100 participants who braved the Sunday heat in the morning holding banners and placards.

SAPP Youth chief Jamain Sarudin said he did not expect the presence of a strong crowd because the Prime Minister had announced that the government would make public the findings of the RCI on illegal immigrants in Sabah early December.

The planned protest which was earlier made known through the news and social media was pre-empted by the Prime Minister during his visit to Sabah to attend the UPKO Congress.

He said this showed the campaign by SAPP youth and certain groups to call for the release of the report RCI in social media had been fruitful.

“Before we held this peaceful protest, the Prime Minister had announced a day earlier that the RCI report will be out soon and we considered it a success of our struggle, said Sarudin.

Previously, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Rahman Dahlan issued a statement that the report will be tabled in parliament in October-November.

“We’ve become bored with promise after promise, statements by ministers made us angry and frustrated, he added.

The 30-minute peaceful assembly ended when directed by the police to disperse.

Jamain welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister on the RCI report issue. However, the youth movement should not be easily satisfied and hoped the announcement is not just to appease the people of Sabah.

“We do not want to see the RCI report postponed again due to the fact Datuk Rahman Dahlan who told in a forum that the report will be tabled in parliament during October to November session but was contrary to the PMs announcement.

Illegal immigrants problem in Sabah has been haunting the local people of Sabah and would become a nightmare if not resolved by the government early.

“We are deeply concerned that the future of our children and grandchildren will become refugees in their own land,” he stressed.

Among the leaders who were present were SAPP President Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee, deputy presidents Melanie Chia and Edward Dagul, political veteran Datuk Hj Mohd Noor Mansoor and Datuk James Ligunjang, and some members of various NGOs.