Minister tells Harris to read RCI report again
Published on: Thursday, November 17, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) maintained its stand that former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed must be held responsible based on his own admission that he had given citizenship to illegal immigrants in Sabah while he was in office."He admitted it, he has to take responsibility. Upko is merely pointing out the fact," said Upko Acting President Datuk Seri Madius Tangau in reply to outcries, including from former Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh's criticism to his speech during the Upko 2016 Convention last Saturday.Harris had urged the Upko supremo to stop blaming Mahathir for the issuance of ICs to illegal immigrants in Sabah, claiming the RCI had cleared the former Prime Minister.
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According to Madius, Upko has been consistent in calling for the Government to resolve the issue of illegals getting their hands on genuine Malaysian identity documents through the backdoor.At the same time, he said the party has been calling for those responsible behind the ruse, an open secret known as "Projek IC" to be brought to book since it involved the nation's sovereignty."During my speech, I also played a Youtube video clip that shows Mahathir admitting to give citizenship to illegal immigrants.It is there for the public to see for themselves. Tun Mahathir admitted that ICs were given to illegal immigrants in Sabah," he said.
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Not only that, Madius, who is also Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, said Upko has also supporting evidence based on its own survey conducted on nearly 1,000 respondents in squatter settlements around the State.The respondents said they obtained their Malaysian ICs for a price of between RM1,000 and RM10,000 each.
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The conclusive findings were compiled in 26 volumes and had been submitted to the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah.Madius said that not only Upko had gone to the ground to find the root of the problem, it also suggested a solution, by recalling all Malaysian ICs issued in Sabah to the same RCI panel.By recalling and reissuing the identity cards, it would ensure the authentication of its holders as it could then be truly verified by the relevant government agencies.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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