SABAH UMNO SAY NO OBJECTION TO RCI UP TO FEDERAL

SABAH UMNO: NO OBJECTION TO RCI

KOTA KINABALU 3rd Jan 2012: Sabah Umno has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguard the interest and welfare of all Sabahans by openly supporting the setting up of the Royal Commision of Inquiry to probe allegations of non-citizens obtaining citizenship by dubious means.

Sabah Umno information chief, Datuk Sapawi Haji Ahmad said Sabah Umno has never objected to the setting up of RCI on the issue.

“The decision to conduct an RCI is an administrative decision of the federal government and the proper authority to decide is the federal Cabinet,”

he said.

Sapawi said this in a statement after attending a New Year breakfast meeting hosted by Chief Minister and Sabah Umno chief, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman with Sabah Umno leaders including all division heads.

He said it should also be noted that all Umno MPs from Sabah voted in Parliament to accept the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee headed by Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili which among others adapted a resolution to set up a RCI in Sabah.

“So the issue of Sabah Umno objecting to the setting of the RCI never arises. In fact in 2008, Sabah Umno submitted a memorandum to the then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Badawi detailing various issues needing immediate attention of the federal government,” he said.

Among others, the memorandum urged the federal government to take proactive measures to manage the increasing number of foreign nationals in the state.

Sapawi also said that at the state level, a Citizenship Committee of Sabah BN under the chairmanship of Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has been set up to tackle the issue pertaining to illegal immigrants in the state.

“Sabah Umno has voiced its official stand on the issue of RCI to the Committee. Sabah Umno has no objection to the setting up of the RCI by the federal government,” he said.

And, he added that Sabah Umno was with the people on issues important to their well-being and the welfare of the state.

“We have always been supportive of any measure to ensure the welfare and security of the state and the interest of the people are always a top priority,” he said.

Also present yesterday were State Assembly Speaker and Sabah Umno deputy chief Datuk Salleh Tun Said, treasurer Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, assistant secretary Datuk Masidi Manjun, executive secretary Datuk Kadzim Haji Yahya, wanita chief Datuk Armani Haji Mahiruddin, youth chief Haji Awang Kadin and Puteri chief Mosliati Muslimin.