Chua: Seriousness of case warrants a royal commission

Tawau, Sep 10, 2009: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Vice President and Member of Parliament for Tawau, Datuk Chua Soon Bui, said it was very serious matter concerning the recent relevation in New Sabah Times on 5th Sept. 2009 and Chinese dailies on 6th Sept. 2009 regarding the possibility of granting MyKad applications to about 200 illegal immigrants from Kalabakan Tengah 1 from 10 -12 August 2009.

She urged the federal ministers from Sabah to push the authorities to investigate this serious matter purportedly involving NRD officials from KK and Tawau, as exposed by PKR’s Tawau Chief, Kong Hong Ming.

"It also shows that our own NRD officials are possibly involved in helping illegal foreigners to infiltrate the country’s sovereignty in Sabah," said Chua.

She hoped the federal ministers from Sabah would seek immediate clarifications from the relevant authorities, particularly the mobile units of National Registration Department from Kota Kinabalu, the reported RELA personnel and those responsible for transporting the illegals to Kalabakan Tengah 1 for the registration of MyKad applications.

She said the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry is long overdue in view of the past rampant cases since the 80's.

"The Royal Commission of Inquiry should deliberate on the said cases and maybe many other applications that might slipped through the security systems in recent years. The investigation should tackle the problems at the roots and the culprits should be punished under the Law.

She said the law requires that any applications to the mobile units of the National Registration Department to be certified and endorsed by the magistrates of the mobile court rather than just based on the recommendations by the village chiefs.

Chua also asked why there were reported cases of abuses of the recommendations by the village chiefs in the present system, where the requirement of certification and endorsement by the magistrates has been ‘by-passed’.

She also wanted the Ministry of Home affairs to ensure that such certification and endorsement by properly enforced so that there is a check and balance in the mobile unit applications of the National Registration Department to minimize any future abuses.

"It is a shame if these incidents are happening right below our noses and our future generations will blame us for not protecting our land and our sovereignty rights.

She said that she had received many complaints from members of the general public who are worried and concerned about the suspect 'Project IC' for the coming election.

"While genuine local villagers are still waiting for a long time for the approval of their MyKad applications, the mobile units from NRD were seen to be focusing rather on facilitating the MyKad applications by illegal foreigners.

"How could the government reassure the people of Sabah that the ‘Project IC’ would not be just another ‘convenient gateway’ for granting MyKads to large numbers of illegals?

She called upon the Prime Minister, YAB Dato Sri Najib bin Tun Razak to be more accountable and transparent to the people on the suspected IC scam. She hoped that the 6 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in the key ministries implemented by the PM show his sincere political will to ensure that the government tackles the illegal immigrant problems in Sabah.