Proof is everywhere, Salleh told

Proof is everywhere, Salleh told  19 December, 2006 Daily Express Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chairman of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in Sabah Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan Monday challenged former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak and the Government to once and for all address the illegal immigrants issue in Sabah by setting up a Royal Comission of Inquiry. He said the claim that there were 1.7 million illegals in the State of which 600,000 of them are holding Malaysian identity cards and some even joined Barisan Nasional component parties "is nothing new and open information." Dr Jeffrey was commenting on former Chief Minister Datuk Salleh Said Keruak, the Member Parliament of Kota Belud, who demanded Jeffrey to furnish solid evidence on the statistics of the illegals in Sabah as the allegation was serious. "They don't need to ask about truth because proof is everywhere we have been giving it and we will give solid proof on this in this book written by Mutalib," he told reporters at his office here, while showing the new book titled "IC Projek Agenda Tersembunyi Mahathir?" written by Mutalib M.D. Mutalib M.D. a political analyst and social activist highlighted the issue of illegals possessing Malaysian ICs in his book before "IC Palsu: Merampas Hak Anak Sabah dan Pengundi Untuk Disewa". The 1,000-page book was a result of years of research done by Mutalib, "very detail and specific which everyone should possess it if they are concerned about the proof and reality of illegal immigrants in Sabah having Malaysian ICs," said Dr Jeffrey. Mutalib, who was present at the press conference, said the book was meant mainly for politicians, while for the public it would be published in the e-book (electronic book) format. So far, he said 500 copies of the book had been printed. "I'm an Umno member for life and this book is not to condemn the Government but to help. The Government has admitted to the problem but there has been no follow-up like on the IC Project and fake IC cases," Mutalib said. Jeffrey said the figure suggesting foreigners outnumber locals in Sabah was even mentioned in the recent State Assembly sitting. "Asemblyman Samson Chin (PBS) mentioned the 1.5:1.7 population ratio figure as well. The figure was also from the Statistics DepartmentÉall are from there," he stressed. Dr Jeffrey said similar figures had been presented in various forums including those of Suhakam as well as in the Likas election petition hearing, which were never disputed. "In fact there is no need to ask for proof because it is everywhere and we (are prepared) to give," he said, adding that countless police reports had been lodged pertaining to the matter. One of the examples in the Mutalib book, he said, was the case of a person who used two ICs to apply to join the Umno Silam division. According to him, Mutalib had submitted a protest letter to the Umno Secretary-General in relation to the said person having been admitted into the party and holding a committee post in the division. Mutalib had claimed that the person was also a member of Perkesa, an association solely meant for Indonesian workers. "Salleh might not know it but there are a lot of Pakistanis in Kota Belud. He should look into this book so he will know who are his voters and that there are foreigners in his constituency," Dr Jeffrey further alleged. "This is the best proof. We cannot blame the foreigners, they are just grabbing opportunities. Those who should be blamed are the people in power who are selling citizenship," he charged. As a leader, Dr Jeffrey said he had a duty to say something and urged the Government to do something because it concerned not just the future of Sabah but everyone in the country. Towards this end, he threw the challenge back at Salleh and the State Government to do something about the problem, especially by establishing a Royal Commission of Enquiry. "Many reports have been made and there is a lot of proof but the government is not doing anything about it. We have to look at the decision-makers as normal government officers would not be able to do anything. "We have people who are willing to go to the court and even die if their allegations are not true. What further proof is needed?," he said. "The onus is on the Government and leaders like Salleh to do something." Meanwhile, Dr Jeffrey said the statement by Consumers Association for Sabah and Labuan (Cash) Datuk Patrick Sindu for the State Government to fill up the vacant six nominated assemblymen seats merits support. "Because it is in the State Constitution and it is still needed and practical. If Sabah can have three Deputy Chief Ministers which is not provided for in the Constitution why not the six seats?," he asked. Dr Jeffrey said if the State government was no longer agreeable to the provision of the six nominated assemblymen then it should consider removing it from the State Constitution.