Upko backs opposition call to reconvene RCI

RANAU: A Barisan Nasional coalition party from Sabah has joined the clamour for the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on alleged massive immigration racketeering in Sabah to reconvene to hear new evidence of the blowback of the alleged operation.

The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) said the arrest of a security guard with Sabah identification papers who shot dead a bank officer recently presents a strong basis for recalling all the identity cards issued in Sabah.

Ewon Benedick, a rapidly rising leader in the party, said such an exercise would help facilitate a thorough screening of citizenship papers issued in the state.

Benedick also wants the commission to hold a special investigation that will focus on the bank robbery as the suspect was in possession of a Sabah IC that had allowed him to get through immigration at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and even secure a job in a security firm.

The Upko Komulakan (a youth wing of the party) chief said the probe was necessary due to “many” foreigners being in possession of Sabah ICs holding jobs in both the public and private sectors in the county.

Speaking to the media after launching the 46th annual sports of SK Kiau in Ranau Sports Complex on Tuesday, he cited the case of the leader of the Sulu militants who invaded Lahad Datu in February this year being a former Assistant District Officer for Kudat.

“Last year, when a Pakistani was brought to court in connection with a murder case of a teenage girl in Kota Marudu, I made an open suggestion to the Royal Commission of Inquiry to widen its scope to also investigate how he obtained his IC and was allowed to operate business.

“The fact that they are now in the private and business sectors, probably also now in the public service, is worrying as criminal case(s) like these (instances) has gone up in numbers. Security is now the state’s main concern as more and more Sabahans feel insecure,” he added.

Benedick also recalled how Deputy IGP Bakri Zinin had once described illegal immigrants as ‘the mother of all problems’ in Sabah when he was the deputy police chief in the state.

Recall ICs

That warning echoed an observation by former Suhakam Commissioner Simon Sipaun of a possible reverse takeover of the state due to a scheme codenamed Project IC, a clandestine operation to grant illegal immigrants citizenship in exchange for votes.

Upko’s stand, Benedick said, is to recall and re-issue identity cards to only genuine Malaysians in Sabah as stated by party president, Bernard Dompok.

Dompok’s call was also endorsed by fellow BN component party leaders, Joseph Pairin Kitingan of Parti Bersatu Sabah and Joseph Kurup of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah.

Benedick, who is also the party’s Kota Belud chief, said he and all of his members are ready to return their ICs to the authority to allow for investigation and re-issuance of a new ICs for genuine Sabahans.

“With a stronger state representation in the federal cabinet, I believe we can push for a comprehensive solution to this problem. I don’t see any reason why we cannot adopt the proposal. What we need is only stronger political will.

“We are also looking forward to see the report by RCI and what is their recommendation.

“The state BN government has made it number one priority to pursue solution for this problem and to go along with the recommendation by the RCI,” he added.