United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Bernard Dompok today claimed Sabah's population had increased drastically, especially between 1990 to 2000.

NONE The drastic increase requires the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the presence of so many foreigners in the country that has contributed to the steep rise in population.

Dompok, who is also plantation industries and commodities minister revealed the details during his speech at the Upko Triennial Delegates Congress meeting at the Penampang Cultural Centre in Sabah today.

The congress was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin while Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman was also present.

NRD failed to provide data to PSC

Dompok said the National Registration Department could not provide the data of actual number of Malaysians living in Sabah, to the Parliament Select Committee on Integrity in 2007 and now the perception among the people is that the government does not know how many Malaysians are living in Sabah.

population boom in sabah 061008 He said in 1960, Sabah's population was 454,561 with 42 percent made up of Kadazandusun while the figure increased to 653,604 in 1970; 1,307,582 in 1980 and 1,736,902 in 1991.

In 2000, the population increased to 2,449,389 and by 2005, Sabah's population increased to 3,313,000 and registered the highest percentage of increase in population with 3.1 percent compared with the national percentage of 2.3 percent.  

- Bernama

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