We have never wavered – PBS

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary general, Datuk Johnny Mositun, said the party would continue with efforts to find a final resolution to the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

“Naturally all Sabahans would like to see this mother of all problems resolved fast, but a problem of such magnitude and complexity is by its very nature bound to take some time to resolve. We can't put a time frame on it just to pacify critics or for political mileage,” he said.

Mositun, who is also a Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, said this after officiating at the ParentsTeachers Association Meeting of SK Padawan Besar in Papar.

He was responding to criticisms against PBS deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who had a few days ago suggested the Federal Government recall MyKads issued in Sabah to verify their authenticity.

The Federal Minister's statement had drawn criticism from Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president Edward Dagul and its information chief Chong Pit Fah. The latter had even claimed that PBS had done nothing to resolve the problem.

“They jump at any chance to score points by trying to make it look like Tan Sri Pairin, and by implication PBS, are either incapable or not ‘pushing' Putrajaya hard enough to implement the recommendations by the Technical Committee on Illegal Immigrants. Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

Mositun backed the call from Dr Maximus, for the recall of MyKads issued to unqualified persons, SAPP was quick to criticize the Minister.

“Instead of focusing on the merits or demerits of that call, SAPP chose to question Ongkili's effectiveness as a Federal Cabinet member if he felt compelled to make a public statement. Petty, vindictive and misleading, especially Chong Pit Fah's contention that PBS did nothing about Sabah's illegal woes,” Mositun said.

On the contrary, he said PBS had raised the issue of unqualified foreigners and illegal immigrants well before Datuk Yong Teck Lee ditched PBS to form SAPP and joined the BN.

“PBS is on record as never having wavered from its stand on this issue. Our persistence, despite all the obstacles and threats in our way, is a pivotal factor in getting Putrajaya to acknowledge and address this problem,” he said

Mositun said by ‘pivotal' he did not mean ‘singular'. He said this was because credit also had to be given to other Sabahbased political parties, both BN members and opposition parties who spoke with one voice for Sabah that Putrajaya could not ignore.

“It was not just us in PBS, but the united call by all Sabahbased parties, including SAPP, that our Prime Minister heard and listened to. He directed the establishment of the RCI, which was an important milestone towards a solution,” he said.

Mositun said after a long inquiry, much information had been gathered by the RCI.

“Out of that we have come up with detailed recommendations. Useful input was provided by various quarters, NGOs, individuals and political parties from both sides of the political divide, SAPP included. Now we are standing at the implementation stage. How can anyone say PBS has done nothing?” Mositun wanted to know.

He said SAPP might have its own views on how to go about the matter, just as PBS and other parties too would have their own opinions.

“Admittedly we may differ on how best to go about it. SAPP suggested the issuance of a Sabah Identity Card or MyKad, which some feel is not practical because they feel one type of Malaysian Identity Card or MyKad for all citizens is enough. Then we have Dr Maximus' call for recall of MyKads criticized as not practical, while someone else says it is not the appropriate term. But do we need to quarrel and score political points over such things?” Mositun asked.

Stating that there was nothing wrong in asking Putrajaya to speed up things, Mositun said it should not matter whether it was a BN leader or opposition member making the call.

“To me, what is important is that we as Sabahans must not lose that unity of purpose and objectivity to get the recommendations implemented as soon as possible. We are now that much closer to a solution, let's focus on that without unnecessary distractions and bickering,” he said.