The delay in implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah does not mean that the federal government is not serious in resolving the matter.
In this regard, the people in Sabah should not be worried, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary general Datuk Johnny Mositun.
In a statement Wednesday, he explained that the delay was due to the need for a comprehensive and effective plan of action to resolve a complicated problem dating back several decades, "an inherited problem that doesn't lend itself to any hasty or knee-jerk solution".
He noted that the people in Sabah wanted a quick solution to the problem, that their impatience over the delay in implementing the RCI recommendations was understandable.
"But it is not fair to blame its Working Committee chairman, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan or PBS for not doing anything to see these recommendations implemented soon enough.
"It is just not right to point accusations at PBS and Tan Sri Joseph because the RCI Working Committee he chaired was formed by the Federal Government and had nothing to do with PBS or any individual political party. That Tan Sri Joseph is also PBS president is a coincidence, that's all," he said.
Mositun also rejected charges by critics of the government that the RCI was merely a BN gimmick and that the federal government was not serious about resolving the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
He said Parti Warisan deputy president Darrel Leiking, despite being well-educated and quite knowledgeable about government matters, chose to play up the issue because he knew it struck a chord with the people in Sabah and leaders and followers of opposition parties and groups "that usually sprout up like mushrooms at election time".
"But PBS knows for a fact that the main committee chaired by the DPM has made a thorough study of the recommendations and drawn input from the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies that will have to implement the RCI recommendations," he said.
He said PBS had no wish to pre-empt Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi on the matter but added that PBS acting president, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili had been liaising with the federal cabinet and the Home minister over the matter to have it expedited.
"All I will say at this juncture is that Sabahans will hear from Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi himself soon about the matter. Of that I am confident. The opposition can speculate and disparage the BN, but we in PBS know that both the State and Federal authorities have been doing their work quietly and without fanfare," he said.
Mositun told PBS divisional leaders and members not to believe in the opposition's claims of being strong enough to topple the BN.
"That is all empty rhetoric. They are not even united among themselves. They are arguing over almost everything, taking pot shots at each other, jumping from one party to another in search of positions and improving their chances of being nominated as candidates, and unable to form a credible alliance even among themselves," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Sep 14 2017
JOHNNY MOSITUN: The people in Sabah should not be worried.
Motorcycling - Marquez wins Australian MotoGP after intense battle with Martin
The 31-year-old, third in the championship standings, has now won the Australian MotoGP four times in the premier class.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.