PAPAR: A senior Sabah leader yesterday advised state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman, Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, not to question the capability of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) that is probing problems on illegal immigrants in Sabah.
Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail said the RCI was a credible body which had been commissioned to investigate problems on immigrants in the state and thus, should be respected by all parties.
“It is up to the RCI to judge whether a person who is called to testify speaks the truth or not.
“Political leaders, especially from the opposition do not have to interfere in RCI matters,” said Rahim, who is Pantai Manis Assemblyman, to Bernama here.
The former State Agriculture and Food Industry Minister was commenting on a statement by Lajim who was unhappy with the testimony given by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to the RCI denying that ‘Projek IC’ was carried out on his order.
Dr Mahathir, when testifying before the RCI, denied having a role in the project where identity cards were issued to illegal immigrants to make them eligible to become voters.
The RCI, which began its hearing in January, is investigating claims that citizenships were given to illegal immigrants in Sabah during Dr Mahathir’s era.
Rahim also questioned Lajim’s agenda in trying to belittle RCI.
“Perhaps, he wants to divert the people’s attention to make them forget the promises made by PKR in the last general election.
“My advice to him is not to be obsessed with looking for other people’s faults. It is better for him to think on how to bring progress to the people in constituencies won by the opposition parties,” he added. — Bernama