Pairin accepts illegals panel post
Published on: Thursday, December 25, 2014
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He said although he was still waiting for the official letter of appointment from the Government as well as Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Working Committee "it is important to take this responsibility in the light of how I would be able to assist proactively and positively towards resolving the perrenial problems."
Importantly, all quarters do their level best in the continuing effort to get the Government and its various machinery to overcome the problem once and for all and in the most acceptable manner, he said.
Speaking after returning from his year-end leave on Wednesday, Pairin who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President, said he just had to respond to the persistent curious question whether he would accept the appointment.
He noted the varying opinions on the appointment itself as there were some of the view that there may be conflict of interest. But in his capacity as President of PBS, he said PBS had been one among many who constantly voiced against the presence of illegal immigrants therefore it was crucial that he took up the appointment.
In order to be more effective, meaningful and productive, Pairin said he would also propose the inclusion of some relevant members other than those which have been announced into the Working Committee later. Upon returning to Sabah on midnight Tuesday, Pairin said he was moved to attention by reports in the newspapers about police reports being lodged by different groups as well as comments and criticisms on the report of the RCI.
"I have observed and noted as closely as possible all comments from all those who have cared to express their views and opinions on the RCI Report which has only 368 pages in the English version.
"Upon reading through quickly on the RCI Report I find that it is a very good Executive Summary of the whole proceedings conducted by the appointed Royal Commission of Inquiry," he said.
The Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa had earlier this month announced that the Government had agreed to accept one of the two recommendations of the RCI for the formation of a Permanent Committee to be supported by the Working Committee on Illegal Immigrants. The Permanent Committee would be jointly-chaired by the Home Affairs Minister and Chief Minister of Sabah.
In a related development, Pairin was heartened to note that the Sarawak Immigration Department was going all out to tackle the problem of undocumented immigrants.
It was reported that those who failed to voluntarily report themselves to the Immigration Department for follow-up deportation action would face the full brunt of the law.
Pairin said the amnesty programme carried out by the Sarawak State Government was similar to the P6 programme implemented by the Federal Government.
"This is an example of what government machinery must do – enforcememt of the law. The RCI Report clearly emphasised the non-enforcement of the laws as being one of the culprits which have culminated into our present predicament," he said.
"Enforcement of laws must clearly take place all the time. Herein may lie a chain-link which needs to be transformed into a more proactively motivated acion to produce the necessary enforcement of our laws. Food for thought and for relevant discussion," he said.
Pairin said he was also "tickled" by all the comments particularly criticisms against him in whatever capacity and role he played in society.
"Actually we need everyone's cooperation and united effort in resolving a very complex problem which has been compounded ever more by those whose motives are questionable," he said.
"The moderates, peace-loving and law-abiding people must wake up, stir themselves up and be counted among those whose efforts are focussing on finding ways and means to prevent the future of Malaysia, our country, including Sabah from ending up in a situation which will shatter all our beautiful dreams and aspirations," he said.
Pairin then took the opportunity to extend Christmas greeting to the people.
"Let me take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of us all God's blessings, guidance and protection on this holy Christmas season and pray for the very best for everyone and our country so that our love, understanding, friendship and patriotism among us and for our country will transcend over all the obstacles and challenges which we are facing.
"Transform all our love and good deeds into achieving a peaceful, united and productive Malaysia," he said.
Meanwhile, it is not for Lim Kit Siang and DAP to advise pairin on matters concerning the RCI, said PBS Secretary General, Datuk Johnny Mositun.
He said Pairin has a full understanding of the issue and a wealth of political experience to make recommendations to the Federal and State authorities on the matter.
"Who is Kit Siang to tell Pairin not to accept the appointment as Chairman of the Working Committee? That's for Pairin to decide on his own after studying the TOR (Terms of Reference) and discussing it and related matters with his party leaders, BN colleagues and other stakeholders," Mositun said.
Mositun said it was uncharitable of Lim to imply that Pairin was not treating the matter with urgency by going on leave when he (Pairin) had just been appointed Chairman of the Working Committee on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah.
"Is Lim unaware that Pairin is a Christian and will be away during Christmas and New Year? Surely Lim and DAP can wait until after the new year for Pairin to get down to serious work," Mositun observed.
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