Be inclusive on RCI, says Bersih

KOTA KINABALU:Bersih Sabah calls on the government to allow views from civil society to be considered in the formation of the Royal Commision of Inquiry (RCI) and the drafting of the Terms of Reference (TOR).

According to Bersih Sabah spokesperson Andrew Ambrose (also known as Atama), "While we welcome the announcement, we also wish that the government would listen to its own people. We want to contribute and help the government in its effort in establishing a comprehensive and all-encompassing RCI."


The issue of undocumented migrants and "new citizens" is a hotly debated topic among politicians and locals alike in Sabah. According to replies provided in Parliament last year, Sabah’s population was 651,304 in 1970 and grew to 929,299 a decade later. But in the two decades following 1980 the state’s population rose by a staggering 1.5 million people, thus reaching 2,468,246 by 2000.

The issue of forming a RCI is nothing new, as it has been called on by several politicians in the state as far back as in year 2008. Earlier this year, high-profile Sabah BN leaders had claimed that cabinet had approved the establishment of the much anticipated RCI on Feb 8. But the people of Sabah were yet again disappointed as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak chose to remain mum on the issue.

It was only 4 months later, on the 1st of June, the RCI was announced, minus further information on the TOR and its members. And now after over 2 months of more anxious waiting, we are finally rewarded with the announcement by our Prime Minister that the establishment of RCI and that the TOR of the same has been finalised and will be announced next Saturday, 11 August 2012.

On that note, Bersih Sabah would like to remind the government that it should be a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people". Bersih calls for transparency in the administration and not keep the people in the dark.

Andrew stressed further that "We Sabahans have been inundated with too many announcements, with too little action taken taken. It's time that the government step up with real and impactful actions and solutions to solidify the promises they have made to the people."

As such, Bersih Sabah recommends a number of points that should be taken into consideration when drafting the TOR.

Amongst the points recommended was that the RCI must cover the issues of foreigners being made citizens of Malaysia (Project IC); the presence of illegal aliens within the boundaries of this country especially in Sabah; as well as the issue of stateless people within Sabah.

Bersih Sabah also firmly believes that the culprits must be charged in court and punishable by law, and also allowing amnesty for witnesses to protect those who testify in court.

The RCI should also, most importantly, be chaired by a Sabahan of high integrity. The Bersih Sabah committee suggests the best person for the job should be the Right Honourable Chief Judge in the Court of Sabah and Sarawak. In addition, Bersih Sabah welcomes international and impartial observers in the RCI to ensure better transparency, and also because the RCI involves investigation of foreigners granted citizenship.

On a related note, Andrew further emphasised that as concerned members of the public, Bersih Sabah would like to see the 8 Demands of Bersih to be fulfilled - including the cleaning up the electoral roll, usage of indelible ink, free and fair access to the media, postal voting, the setting of minimum campaign period of 21 days, and strengthening public institutions such as the Election Commission to function independently of government.

42 comments:

  1. The long waited RCI has to be implemented

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    1. The people are eager to have RCI be implemented in sabah.

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    2. Wait Najib to come down to KK this Saturday.

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    3. Penubuhan RCI memang penting untuk kita semua di Sabah.

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    4. RCI is deemed important for Sabah.

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    5. Disebabkan ia penting, maka kerajaan harus pertimbangkan penubuhan RCI sebaik mungkin.

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    6. sebaik pengumuman tentang terma dan syarat harap2 RCI ni dilaksanakan.

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  2. I hope the government would put this into consideration.

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    1. The government will have to put this into consideration. After all people must come first. That is 1 Malaysia slogan is about.

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    2. I'm sure people voice given priority and consideration.

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    3. RCI diperlukan sekarang ini. Ini bagi memastikan RCI ini dapat menyelesaikan pelbagai masalah yang dihadapi.

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  3. I can't wait for the setting up of RCI.

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    1. ya, semua berharap agar RCI akan ditubuhkan secepat mungkin.

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  4. The could tackle issues surrounding the Project IC.

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    1. and we could finally have a clean and fair election once Project IC and PATI issue is solved.

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    2. RCI hanya akan wujud selapas pilihan raya 13 tau. kalau sebelum RCI akan d buattetapi tindakan susulan tidak tidak guna juga

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    3. hopefully..hope there is no manipulation in implementation of RCI.

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  5. Let's wait and see what happens next.

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  6. this is something that the government ought to take into consideration..

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  7. "Bersih Sabah also firmly believes that the culprits must be charged in court and punishable by law, and also allowing amnesty for witnesses to protect those who testify in court."

    Whoever is involved must be charged in court and punishable by law. It doesn't matter who the person is.

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    1. even they are called leaders must also be charged and punished. nobody is above the law.

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  8. RCI? Seems to be a waste of time as the result will be UMNO 100,Sabah Zero

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    1. why do you say that?

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    2. Any explanation on your statement? I thought RCI is for Sabahans goods.

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  9. Bila lah RCI akan ditubuhkan. Terfikir juga, adakah ia akan ditubuhkan nanti?

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    1. Kita tunggu pengumuman yang akan dilakukan oleh PM nanti.

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    2. jka PM umumkan, pasti tak lama lagi ia ditubuhkan.

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  10. Apapun, kita tunggu dan lihat sajalah. Harap semuanya berjalan seperti yang kita harapkan.

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    1. RCI pasti akan ditubuhkan, cuma kalau boleh harap ia akan ditubuhkan dengan segera.

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  11. RCI dijangka dapat menanggani isu pati, so since isu pati ini amat memeningkan kepala ramai pihak mungkin ada baiknya RCI ditubuhkan segera.

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    1. Saya sangat setuju dengan pendapat anda. RCI akan banyak membantu menyelesaikan isu RCI.

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  12. Kita tunggu sajalah apa kata kerajaan nanti. Harap perkarea ini dapat perhatian sepatutnya.

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  13. Harap RCI dapat menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi oleh rakyat Sabah. Terutamanya isu pendatang asing.

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    1. selesai masalah PATI, masalah2 lain jg akan turut selesai.

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  14. Well, PM is Going to announce it this coming Saturday. So, Can't wait for the announcement.

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  15. semua masih menanti bila RCI akan ditubuhkan. harap ia akan ditubuhkan dengan cepat.

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  16. RCI ini amat penting bagi selesaikan masalah pati yang berlaku selama ini.

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  17. semoga masalah pati akan berjaya diselesaikan dengan jayanya.

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