Define ‘illegals’ – UPKO Youth

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PENAMPANG: The Federal Government must expedite the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the extraordinary increase in Sabah population, said United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusun Murut Organization (UPKO) Youth chief Arthur Sen.

He said while the movement welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement on the Royal Commission of Inquiry, there must be a clear definition of the term “pendatang asing tanpa izin’ (illegal immigrants).

Sen said UPKO Youth had pointed out the need for a clear definition on the term during its meeting recently.

“Does the term ‘pendatang asing tanpa izin’ refer to those who do not possess any travel documents or those who overstay in the state? Does the definition encompass those who have obtained Malaysian identification through dubious means?” he asked.

“There are many other questions which need answering and therefore UPKO Youth is urging the Government to expedite the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the issues, as Malaysians in Sabah have the right to get immediate explanation on the matter,” he said.

According to Sen, it was also decided during UPKO Youth meeting that the Terms Of Reference (TOR) must look into and resolve several issues including claims that many illegal immigrants have been issued Malaysian identification documents through the ‘Projek IC’ until it changed the racial demography in Sabah.

The TOR must also delve into the status of the IMM13 holders and the future of their citizenship as well that of their children, the issue of stateless children and the issuance of Malaysian identity cards thorough dubious means, he said.

“It has been a month since Prime Minister Datuk Sere Najib Tun Razak announced the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry but we have yet to hear of any further development. Although it was mentioned in Dewan Rakyat that the Government needs time to look into the TOR, the issue has become the main focus of Sabahans.

“Therefore it must be prioritize so that the riddle can be answered and the problem resolved once and for all. We urge the government to immediately appoint the members of the Commission so that they can get the ball rolling by going through the TOR which have been submitted by various quarters including UPKO.

“The committee can also provide some inputs to the Attorney General,” Sen stressed.