KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to tackle the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah held its first meeting under the chairmanship of former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong at the meeting room of the Kota Kinabalu High Court Building, here today.
The creation of this committee and the appointment of its chairman and members of the RCI were announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, here, on Aug 11, this year in a sincere move to solve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah once and for all.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shim announced that the hearing proper would start on Jan 14, next year and the venue would be at the Kota Kinabalu High Court, here.
On the number of witnesses to be called before the RCI committee, he said, “All witnesses, whom we think are relevant, will be called before us.”
“We are still finalising the lists of witnesses but I am told we have so far 48 witnesses and more are coming,” he said.
Asked whether the public can come forward to give statement, he said, “anyone who can give us the relevant information can come forward to testify before us.”
Also present at the meeting were secretary of the RCI committee, who is also Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Saripuddin Kasim and commissioners — 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.
Shim said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the progress of the investigation conducted by its investigation unit which was established on Oct 1, this year.
“So far the progress was very good and we will try our best to finish it within six months…six months from the date of our appointment which is Sept 21, this year.
He said the RCI committee had been given six months to complete its investigation on the influx of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
We will try to finish everything before the deadline. Of course under the provision we can ask for extension if it can’t be completed within the stipulated time,” Shim said.
Asked on what are the specific areas that the committee is investigating, Shim said the committee would be investigating all aspect “which we feel are relevant to the terms of reference of the RCI.”
“We will have to focus with regard to the terms of reference…there are eight terms of reference altogether,” he said.
When asked whether the RCI could help solve the illegal immigrant problems in the Sabah, Shim just said that they would try to work within the terms of reference.
In announcing the terms of reference for the commission on Aug 11, this year, the Prime Minister had said that they would among others investigate the number of immigrants in Sabah who were issued identity cards or citizenship.
The investigation would also focus on whether the issuance of the blue identity cards or citizenship to the immigrants was made based on the law as well as 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 was quoted as saying. -Bernama