The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah began its public hearing at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex here today.

The five-member panel was led by former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong.

The panel comprises Universiti Malaysia Sabah former vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon, Kuala Lumpur former police chief Datuk Henry Chin Poy Wu, former state secretary Datuk Kee Mustafa, and former deputy chief minister and former state attorney-general Tan Sri Herman J.Luping.

Shim read out the terms of reference of the inquiry which was to enquire, among others, the number of immigrants in Sabah who had received blue identification cards (IC) or citizenship, whether the issuance of the ICs or citizenship was in accordance with the law, whether the immigrants who held the
blue ICs, temporary identification receipt (blue) citizenship illegally had been registered as voters, and the reasons for the increase in Sabah's population.

Manoj Kurup, Datuk Azmi Ariffin and Jamil Aripin of the Attorney-General's Chambers have been appointed as conducting officers to assist the commission in questioning the witnesses.

In his opening statement, Manoj said the conducting officers would first adduce evidence from a historical perspective from witnesses who have expertise in history and anthropology.

He said witnesses from various government departments such as the National Registration Department, the Immigration Department, the Election Commission, the Statistics Department, and the Sabah State Chief Minister's Office would be called to testify.

Manoj said ex-detainees under the Internal Security Act 1960 would also be called on matters related to the issuance of identification documents.

He said evidence would also be gathered from individuals from several countries like the Philippines, India, Pakistan and Indonesia, who were in possession of various documents used for identification like the 1MM-13, entry permits, green and blue ICs.

Permanent residents and even citizens will also be quizzed on how they came into possession of their identification documents or how they obtained their present status, he said, adding that evidence gathered by politicians and authors would also be sought.

On social implications resulting from the issuance of identification cards or citizenship to immigrants, he said the conducting officers also planned to call witnesses from various agencies such as the police, the Prisons Department, the Health Department, and the Education Department.