133. Indian immigrant becomes Rela member, received BR1M, RCI told

Indian immigrant becomes Rela member, received BR1M, RCI told

http://my.news.yahoo.com/indian-immigrant-becomes-rela-member-received-br1m-rci-101450146.html

By Mohd Farhan Darwis

An Indian immigrant, Peer Mohamad Kadir, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry today that it took him only two years to obtain a local identification card (IC) after arriving in Malaysia in 1984.
Aged 24 then, Peer told the inquiry, specially convened to examine the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah, that after having failed twice in his quest to obtain an IC, he finally got one in 1986 with the help of his uncle, after applying at the National Registration Department (NRD) in Kota Marudu, Sabah.
Peer, who is also an Ikatan Relawan Rakyat Malaysia (Rela) member, said that he had also voted in five general elections, including several by-elections and is also a recipient of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) of RM500.
"I was given a form but I did not know how to fill it... it was all done by my uncle," Chennai-born Peer, 54, testified when questioned by an RCI officer at the Kota Kinabalu High Court in the Sabah state capital.
"I was ordered to pay stamp duty of RM20. I have all the declaration letters... my uncle handled it all," said Peer, who also does not possess a birth certificate and nor has his parents' details registered in the NRD database.
When questioned by RCI officer Jamil Aripin that his (Peer's) original place of birth and that which is printed on his IC differs, the former public relations officer with the Sabah Indian Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DPPIMS) said he was unaware of the matter and did not realise that he had obtained his IC illegally .
"Do you agree that your IC was obtained through illegal means?" Jamil questioned.
"I am unable to answer that," replied Peer, who had also cast his vote in the 2013 Likas by-election.
Peer was the ninth and final witness for the day. Since the RCI commenced in January, 116 witnesses have given statements with regards to the issuing of ICs to illegal immigrants in Sabah in the 1980s. - June 17, 2013.