DR MAHATHIR: NO DIRECTIVE TO ISSUE IC TO UNQUALIFIED MIGRANTS

Dr Mahathir: No directive to issue IC to unqualified migrants

PAPAR 17/03/2013: The government had never issued any directive to any quarters to issue identity cards (IC) or citizenship to unqualified immigrants in Sabah, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

As such, he said, Sabahans could not blame the government during his administration over cases of fraud committed by certain parties for self-interest.

"I am aware the issue (IC project) is getting the attention of the people. I have been told, there were those who were not qualified, having just arrived, who received IC.

"This is not our directive, not the government's directive...this is fraud on the part of the officers in the area because of other interests,"

he told reporters on Saturday.

The former prime minister was asked to comment on the opposition campaign trend which was aggressively playing up the IC Project issue to garner the people's support, in view of the coming general election.

He clarified that many people who were not from this country were made citizens because they had stayed in the country for a long time and had mastered the national language.

"Many of us are from other countries, for example from China, Arab (countries) and India. All of them have stayed here for a long time and are loyal to this country.

"We give them citizenship if they meet the necessary conditions," he said.

In another development, Dr Mahathir, when asked if the government was capable of increasing the oil royalty to Sabah which currently stood at five per cent, said the government's practice was to share riches with all citizens of the country.

Prior to this, the opposition pact, in its 13th General Election manifesto, promised 20 per cent oil royalty to the people of Sabah.

"If they (opposition) want to give (higher)...then, give 100 per cent to Sabah," said Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years since 1981 before stepping down in 2003.

On the setting up of the special security area, Eastern Sabah Security Command in Sabah, following the intrusion by foreign terrorists in Lahad Datu, Dr Mahathir said the move was apt and timely, seeing the significant security threat in the national waters.

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Mahathir: Sabah IC project 'lawful'

"I never denied that citizenship was given. What I deny is that I did something against the law,"

"Once the foreigners are citizens, they are free to vote,"

"One should look back and remember that Tunku Abdul Rahman was worse than me. He gave one million citizenship to people who were not qualified and not even tested.

"So why is it when he does it, it is not wrong but when I do it, it is wrong? I did what was within the law,"

Dr Mahathir Mohamad