Kota Kinabalu: Penampang-based NGO Ikatan Komuniti Penampang (Ikatan Penampang) called on the findings of the RCI on illegal immigrants in Sabah that was concluded in 2014 to be tabled in Parliament.
This is to ensure that Malaysians, especially Sabahans, know the truth while at the same time allow elected representatives, especially accusers and the accused, to state their stand on the matter.
The movement believes tabling it is necessary since many of the millennials and Generation Z’s in Sabah are unaware of the RCI or the findings.
Alva Mitchell Primus, 23, from Kg Dabak, said many like her who was 13 then are ignorant about the report or its findings and recommendations.
“Even if you walk around town and ask those who talk a lot about politics what they think about the RCI, chances are most of them don’t even know.
“So instead of accusing one another in the media, will it be more proper if political leaders table the report in Parliament, have it debated and effect the recommendations immediately.
“This will also allow the millennials and Gen Z to know the truth about illegal immigrants in Sabah and make the proper decision when casting their votes this coming general election without being influenced by lies or propagandas from political parties,” she said.
Another member, Melodie Fong, 21, from Kepayan, said it was exasperating to see political parties continue to talk about the issue yet reluctant to deliberate the topic in Parliament.
Numerous petty and serious crimes were reported committed by illegal immigrants.
“With illegal immigrants roaming around freely at night in the State Capital and more so when their children are now brazen enough to lay nails on the road to puncture passing cars, do all these political leaders really think women (who now feel unsafe when driving alone at night) think that the finger-pointing and mudslinging are entertaining? No!
“What we want is an affirmative, deadline-based action to effect the flushing out of illegal immigrants in Sabah. Since this is a national issue, it should not be kept in the dark anymore.
“Let MPs representing the various parties and coalitions in Sabah deliberate on this problem and once their views have been made known, then both the Federal and State Governments may proceed with the recommendations without delay,” she said.
For Samantha David, 31, from Cybercity Kepayan, inflation and the decision by the Federal Government to do away with subsidies on certain consumer goods may now necessitate the deliberation of the findings of RCI in Parliament and its recommendations.
“I do not know just how many illegal immigrants or refugees there are in the State but if I am not mistaken, it had been said to range between 800,000 to one million.
“If so, then this huge number of immigrants will also be enjoying subsidized goods such as the 1kg packet of cooking oil, chicken and flour meant for Malaysian citizens.
“If the consumption of the subsidised goods is based on the numbers of both legal and illegal immigrants (including their children) then what have been consumed in Sabah is surely of greater amount then what have been smuggled outside Malaysia!” she said,
Samantha asked whether the Government this huge presence of both legal and illegal immigrants in Sabah affect the supply and demand of these subsidized goods?
“I would not be asking so if there are only 20,000 illegal immigrants in Sabah but the purported numbers is simply too high and it would make no sense at all if the locals and Malaysian citizens now bear the brunt just because this issue on illegal immigrants is being dragged year after year.
At a time when the State Government intends to implement the ‘Kad Warga Asing Sabah’ – will it be good for the ordinary Sabahans at this time of economic depression since allowing hundreds and thousands of illegal immigrants to work in Sabah would also mean that they have access to all the subsidized goods in Sabah?.
“Why can’t the same Government reasoning to do away with petrol subsidy because the T20 group uses more petrol than the B40, be applied in this context?” she asked.
A Chairman of Ikatan Penampang, Kenneth Jayaraman, meanwhile, hoped Sabahans would be supportive of the cause.
“If these political leaders are so sure with their allegations and accusations, then they should be brave enough to do so in Parliament and let Sabahans have full knowledge about the findings and recommendations.
“By pushing for the tabling of the findings and recommendations in Parliament, Ikatan also wishes to state our disappointment and frustration over the political bickering on this illegal immigrant issue that will repeat itself year in and year out while nothing concrete is being done.
“We will find a way to make the tabling a reality and I hope that Sabahans will be supportive of our effort,” he said.
