Sabah opposition front forms panel on illegals

KOTA KINABALU - Several Sabah-based opposition parties and non-governmental organisations have ganged up to form their own independent monitoring and action committee after seeing more could be done to resolve the State's illegal immigrant problem.

This follows the release of the Report on the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah on Dec 3.

Leading the pack is (Sabah Star State Reform Party) Chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who on Tuesday, said it was formed to assist and ensure the Government, including the two imminent committees – Action and Working Committees – provide a lasting solution to the State's illegal immigrant problem.

The group's other partners are Party Cinta Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and 21 other NGOs including Angkatan Perubahan Sabah's Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing.

It had so far met four times following the release of the RCI report. According to Dr Jeffrey the committee was needed as the work of addressing the issue should not be left to the interests of the Federal Government alone, but also the people as it "is a common problem that affect all Sabahans."

"We feel the term of reference (of the working committee) should not be given from above only, it should also be coming from below as well, which is from the people, themselves." "We are not saying those in the present committees are not competent, but everyone also wants to assist and contribute to solve to the problem."

Dr Jeffrey said he had anticipated weaknesses in the present mechanisms to address the illegal immigrant woes in Sabah. He said bureaucracy and other hindrances would slow decision-making processes, resulting to lengthy procedures for authorities to take action over the issue.

Referring to the the Permanent and Working Committees, he said:

"It will be like a football game. One could not do anything without the approval of another. "In fact, several leaders have asked my recommendations over how to address the illegals problem," said Dr Jeffrey, who refused to name who the leaders were.

Nonetheless, he said the formation of the committee comprising several Sabah-based opposition parties and NGOs was a positive step towards addressing the problem.

Also present were SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing, SAPP advisor Datuk Mohd Nor Mansor and others.

Bumburing said one of the Terms of Reference in the Working Committee under Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan include gathering feedback of the public. "Hence, we are contributing to this aspect,"

The group also listed six demands for which the government can take action after the 2015 New Year, and they are:

(1) To clean up the electoral rolls by weeding out all the names of unqualified "voters" who have been registered using illegal ICs or genuine ICs dubiously given, including the ICs that have been obtained using false declarations; and to allow political parties and NGOs to monitor the cleaning up process by the Election Commission;

(2) To scrutinize all dubious ICs and MyKads that have been issued to unqualified foreigners based on false declarations and information;

(3) To issue Sabah-owned identity cards to Sabahans and genuine Malaysians permanent residents in Sabah; this can be done by setting up a Sabah Registration Department under a new Sabah Registration Ordinance;

(4) To investigate and prosecute any culprits implicated in the RCI Report involved in the Project IC and any other illegal issuance of citizenship documents to illegals and other unqualified foreigners;

Federal government needs to make available to the public all records of proceedings of the RCI and exhibits, memorandum and submissions by witnesses, including the 6,000-page documents;

A special session of the Sabah Legislative Assembly and may be Parliament should be convened to debate the RCI Report's findings and recommendations.

Dr Jeffrey said a letter had been sent to to the State Assembly speaker to convene point six of the demands on Dec 19, but is still awaiting response.

He said the government should take note and provide satisfactory progress on the issue, as it involves "the legitimate feelings of Sabahans who cannot be controlled if their demands are not met."

"As of now people are already angry about the issue, by not taking action the people would become angrier and the threats and harassment of police and other government tools will have no effect on Sabahans' struggle to reclaim their homeland and their rights," he said.

Yong, meanwhile, said the people can opt to peaceful protests if their demands are not met.

Those interested to provide their input and join the committee's effort can reach the committee at James Stephens – 0168461282 or secretariat.starsabah@gmail.com.