Borneo Herald: Najib finally announces terms and reference for RCI on illegal immigrants in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in announcing the details and terms of reference on the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah here Saturday, said it would be given six months to complete its investigation on the influx of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

He said the six months period would begin from the date the instrument of appointments were issued to the RCI chairman and panel members and that the report would be submitted to Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The commission will be chaired by former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong while Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Saripuddin Kasim has been appointed as the secretary.

The RCI will have four commissioners namely former Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon, former Sabah Attorney-General Tan Sri Herman Luping, former Sabah State Secretary Datuk K.Y Mustafa and Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation deputy chairman, Datuk Henry Chin Poy Wu.

The federal government's proposal to set up the commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950 had received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he told reporters after a meeting with state Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders at the Umno Building near here.

Also present was Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

The prime minister also announced the terms of reference for the commission, which was to investigate the number of immigrants in Sabah who were issued identity cards or citizenship.

He said the investigation would focus on whether the issuance of the blue identity cards or citizenship to the immigrants was made 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 standard operating procedures, methods and regulations to avoid non-uniformity with the law in regard to the matter.

Further investigation was also needed in matters pertaining to the standard operating procedures, 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. -- Bernama

24 comments:

AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Najib said the RCI was also set up to find the cause for the increase in the population in Sabah, based on several categories, namely, Sabah people residing in the state, including those who had been issued with blue identity card and citizenship through birth certificates (late registration), foreign workers (including family members), illegal immigrants (including family members) and refugees, as well as the effects on the number of voters in the electoral roll. The RCI will also investigate the social implications on the society in Sabah arising from the issuance of the blue identity card or citizenship to immigrants and the number of immigrants in Sabah who have been given the blue identity card or citizenship by taking into account their status as stateless people.
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 1:10 PM
It's “aye” from Barisan Nasional leaders to the five-man Royal Commission of Inquiry to probe the abnormal rise in Sabah's population and claims that foreigners are getting citizenships through backdoor channels in the state.
UnknownAugust 13, 2012 at 1:10 PM
Ongkili said the decision to set up the RCI showed that the Prime Minister was prepared to “take the bull by the horns” to resolve the longstanding illegal immigrant problem in Sabah.
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Well good news for Sabahans. Hope the implementation will make it easy for the Sabahans to cope with the issue.
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 4:06 PM
We have to wait and see hows the progress. The Sabahans giving full support to the RCI.
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Finally we can see the light at the end of the tunnel... God Bless!
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 4:20 PM
bermakna tak lama lg RCI akan ditubuhkan.
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 11:19 PM
baguslah, akhirnya RCI ini ditubuhkan juga di Sabah...
kenAugust 13, 2012 at 11:20 PM
berharap, penubuhan ini sedikit-sebanyak dapat menggurangkan masalah PATI di negeri ini
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 11:21 PM
semoga rakyat dan kerajaan memberi sokongan sepenuhnya
linaAugust 13, 2012 at 11:22 PM
harap-harap penubuhan RCI ini dapat memberi manfaat kepada semua
apekAugust 13, 2012 at 11:24 PM
mari kita tunggu dan lihat kesudahannya nanti
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 11:53 PM
harap masalah PATI akan terus berkurangan
AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 11:55 PM
semoga ahli panel TOR yang terpilih dipersetujui oleh semua
oleAugust 14, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Akhirnya apa yang di impikan oleh rakyat Sabah tercapai, harap dengan penubuhan RCI ini akan dapat menyiasat masalah Pati ini.
juiAugust 15, 2012 at 11:20 PM
sudah lama RCI dinantikan..harap ia akan berjalan lancar.
qadAugust 15, 2012 at 11:23 PM
ini satu perkembangan yang baik iaitu RCI dilaksanakan.
MumbaiAugust 17, 2012 at 11:04 AM
the announcement of the TOR proved that the Barisan Nasional government under the leadership of Najib listened to the calls and needs of the people in Sabah and responded to them accordingly..
MumbaiAugust 17, 2012 at 11:07 AM
The BN leadership is not merely performing lip service. He (Najib) walks the talk and fulfills what he says he will do.. I believe the government will do its best to carry out its responsibilities through the RCI's objectives.