PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO FEAR FOR THE FUTURE, THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN – EWON BENEDICK

Police need more time to investigate death of teenage girl in Kota Marudu

3/12/2012: Meanwhile, the UPKO Komulakan Movement has urged the police to widen the scope of investigation into the death of Norikoh.

“In extending our deepest sympathy to the family of the late Norikoh, we support the need for a thorough investigation into this case, not just as a murder case, but also into the legality of documents in the possession of the suspect,” said its chief, Ewon Benedick.

“A Pakistani is being detained. He must have with him some documentation in order to open a business in Kota Marudu. If he has MyKad, then an investigation of how he obtained it must be undertaken,”

he added.

“Even if Norikoh was not raped, justice must prevail not only to the family, but to the people of Sabah, who have been asking for the truth regarding the extra-ordinary increase of foreigners in the state,” he said.

Ewon, who is also the deputy chief of UPKO Kota Belud, urged the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants in Sabah to make this tragic incident a case study.

“Just weeks before, we have heard villagers in Sook decried having known a foreigner whose MyKad address was in their kampung. There could be more such cases. We have been asking why this is happening and getting no plausible response from the authority,” said Ewon.

“A minister recently responded in Parliament that foreigners in Sabah do not pose a threat to security. He apparently had not been briefed on the real situation as it appears to contradict what has been published in the newspapers. Almost everyday, we read of foreigners in connection with crime,” he said.

“I was in Beaufort today to attend a wedding reception, and some of the people who attended the event said they are beginning to fear for the future, the safety of their children and grandchildren. Gone were the days when the people of Sabah can walk on the beach or at town centres or wherever they go freely and securely,” he said.

Ewon, who is also a Supreme Council member of UPKO, is urging the people, especially the authority in the villages such as the village chiefs and Village Development and Security Committee chairmen to do their part in preventing the influx of foreigners into their villages.

“Don’t allow these foreigners to peddle their furniture or clothing, or allow them to tap rubber or work in your plantation. They are potential security threat, if not today, possibly tomorrow,” said Ewon.