Tough Task for Sabah RCI

Arnold Puyok

AS more and more disclosures are made at the ongoing hearing of Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Sabah illegals problem, Sabahans have begun to speculate in earnest about the matter, considered the "mother of all issue" in the state.

Some are angry at what they see transpiring at the RCI hearing so far, with witnesses testifying about various ways in which illegals were given documentation. But others prefer to adopt a wait-and-see attitude until more stories are told. Of course, the opposition leaders have been quick to capitalise on the issue even though they are struggling to find the right "angle" through which they can use to attack the Barisan Nasional.

Some of the opposition leaders have called the present government "illegitimate" while others want the electoral roll to be cleaned first before the general election in called. Former chief minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh, whose name is implicated in the illegal immigrant issue, defended his track record, saying that he did not break any law. He was also quick in passing the buck to the federal government who he said held the power to award citizenships to anyone.

Harris snubbed one of the RCI investigation officers when he was asked about the Project IC (or Project M). Calling the Project IC as a "false" story, Harris said he did not have time to respond to people who raise the issue. Interestingly, Harris's former boss Tun Mahathir Mohamad acknowledged Project IC and defended it as a "legal" process.

The RCI was established by Prime Minister Najib Razak who was under pressure from the public and leaders from both sides of the political divide. The decision to go ahead with the RCI is a popular one. In a survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre, an overwhelming 88% of the respondents agreed with the establishment of the RCI. Most of the respondents (11%) also said that they want the illegal immigrant issue to be debated in the coming election. This shows that the illegal immigrant issue is important and requires an urgent solution.

Not everyone is happy that the RCI is taking place. Obviously, Najib is taking a bold but risky political gamble as many Umno leaders are implicated in the issuance of Malaysian ICs through dubious means. The RCI works both ways for Najib and the BN. It works for Najib as it "proves" the sincerity of the government to address the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah; it works against the BN as the allegation of illegal immigrants being given Malaysian citizenship illegally happened throughout the BN's rule.

The stories recounted by the witnesses at the RCI so far show that the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah is complex and has no easy solution. Some of those alleged to have acquired Malaysian ICs illegally have become part of the society and have on numerous occasions participated in the country's electoral process.

Questions have been raised whether these "fake" Malaysians should have their citizenships revoked or whether they be allowed to remain as citizens based on humanitarian grounds. Public confidence can only be restored if the RCI is allowed to do its task without fear or favour. As the election looms, the public is expecting the RCI to wrap up its investigation soon and to propose immediate and long term solutions to the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah. That is not likely to happen, as the RCI has six months to complete its task.

Despite the rhetoric and posturing by commentators and politicians alike, the illegal immigrant issue is one touching on the country's security and sovereignty. Thus no parties should interfere in the work of the RCI or try to take advantage of it for their political gain.

Source: http://fz.com/content/tough-task-sabah-rci