Thursday, April 06, 2006
Respect people's wishes: Jeffrey
Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: Former State Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said Barisan Nasional (BN) is going to lose in the next State election if they ignore the wishes of the local people with regard to the Maang issue.
"If they are going to force the issue (relocate the Sri Tanjung squatters to Maang), I think they are going to lose in the next election. Because it means they are not respecting the rights of the people.
"The Government at the highest level should reconsider. They may think it is a small issue but not so for the people. The Government should never go back to this approach of forcing things down the throat of the people without listening to them," he told a news conference here Tuesday.
Dr Jeffrey said the Maang/Sri Tanjung furore is an "explosive" issue and, if not handled properly, could affect the political landscape in the State.
"To me, the people have the right to make their stand. They have the right to fear. Therefore, we should respect this right, respect their feelings. Instead of forcing the issue, the Government should look for other solutions."
He said as far as the issue was concerned, he, as an ordinary citizen and a member of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), stands by the Maang folks.
"Because it is not right to solve a problem of this nature, like people illegally squatting on Government land to be given a place legally when they are illegals in the first place. These people seem to be special. Why are the Matabian locals not treated the same way? Their houses were demolished and they were displaced without compensation. And yet these people have more rights because they are natives. Under the Federal Constitution, native rights are guaranteed. What happened to their rights in this case?"
On Sri Tanjung, he said he knew the outer portion is resided by Indonesians while the inner by Filipinos.
"Screening by looking at their MyKads is not enough. It must go down to their background - where they were born, who their parents are and their place of origin. One way is to look at their birth certificates but more than that is needed, like, their parents' birth certificates, for instance."
He said the fact that many of the foreigners have MyKad is "another illegal issue"."I'm sorry to say this, but it is something I know cannot happen without the involvement of certain people in the authorities," he said.
According to him, the issue is just the tip of the iceberg."We have this problem all over Sabah. The real issue is, how can we resolve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah. How can we resolve and tackle this problem of foreigners being given Malaysian citizenship overnight. So this is not just a Maang issue. It is a national issue. Focus on this problem and find a comprehensive solution," he urged.
Dr Jeffrey, who is also a KDCA Deputy President, said he agreed with Suhakam and the suggestion by some groups to set up a Royal Commission.
"It is the right call. They are not asking for themselves. They are asking for the country."
He said KDCA would support the signature campaign initiated by Consumers Association of Sabah and Labuan (Cash).Meanwhile, Dr Jeffrey, when asked about his political plan, particularly with regard to joining the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat, said if he had to, he would get involved in politics again.
"I am resting, just observing, taking note of everything that's happening. But it doesn't mean I am not doing anything. This is my country. I love this country. I don't want anything to happen to it. I will keep on defending it," he asserted.
Respect people's wishes: Jeffrey
Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: Former State Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said Barisan Nasional (BN) is going to lose in the next State election if they ignore the wishes of the local people with regard to the Maang issue.
"If they are going to force the issue (relocate the Sri Tanjung squatters to Maang), I think they are going to lose in the next election. Because it means they are not respecting the rights of the people.
"The Government at the highest level should reconsider. They may think it is a small issue but not so for the people. The Government should never go back to this approach of forcing things down the throat of the people without listening to them," he told a news conference here Tuesday.
Dr Jeffrey said the Maang/Sri Tanjung furore is an "explosive" issue and, if not handled properly, could affect the political landscape in the State.
"To me, the people have the right to make their stand. They have the right to fear. Therefore, we should respect this right, respect their feelings. Instead of forcing the issue, the Government should look for other solutions."
He said as far as the issue was concerned, he, as an ordinary citizen and a member of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), stands by the Maang folks.
"Because it is not right to solve a problem of this nature, like people illegally squatting on Government land to be given a place legally when they are illegals in the first place. These people seem to be special. Why are the Matabian locals not treated the same way? Their houses were demolished and they were displaced without compensation. And yet these people have more rights because they are natives. Under the Federal Constitution, native rights are guaranteed. What happened to their rights in this case?"
On Sri Tanjung, he said he knew the outer portion is resided by Indonesians while the inner by Filipinos.
"Screening by looking at their MyKads is not enough. It must go down to their background - where they were born, who their parents are and their place of origin. One way is to look at their birth certificates but more than that is needed, like, their parents' birth certificates, for instance."
He said the fact that many of the foreigners have MyKad is "another illegal issue"."I'm sorry to say this, but it is something I know cannot happen without the involvement of certain people in the authorities," he said.
According to him, the issue is just the tip of the iceberg."We have this problem all over Sabah. The real issue is, how can we resolve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah. How can we resolve and tackle this problem of foreigners being given Malaysian citizenship overnight. So this is not just a Maang issue. It is a national issue. Focus on this problem and find a comprehensive solution," he urged.
Dr Jeffrey, who is also a KDCA Deputy President, said he agreed with Suhakam and the suggestion by some groups to set up a Royal Commission.
"It is the right call. They are not asking for themselves. They are asking for the country."
He said KDCA would support the signature campaign initiated by Consumers Association of Sabah and Labuan (Cash).Meanwhile, Dr Jeffrey, when asked about his political plan, particularly with regard to joining the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat, said if he had to, he would get involved in politics again.
"I am resting, just observing, taking note of everything that's happening. But it doesn't mean I am not doing anything. This is my country. I love this country. I don't want anything to happen to it. I will keep on defending it," he asserted.
posted by Gundohing at
6:37 PM
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