The population boom in Sabah is causing much concern and this has prompted a group of non-governmental organisations to consider launching a state-wide signature campaign.

The campaign is aimed at pressuring the federal government to urgently set-up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the matter.

The group is hoping to collect at least 200,000 signatures from every town and village in the state, which borders Southern Philippines and Indonesia's East Kalimantan.

The campaign comes amid growing concerns among the 'original inhabitants' that if nothing is done, their rights will be in jeopardy and the state will head towards chaos.

According to them, the population explosion is caused by a policy to legalise illegal immigrants - whom if left unchecked will outnumber the locals - from neighbouring countries.

'We're the minority now'

Prominent Sabah-based activist Patrick Sindu told malaysiakini today that he and other local NGO leaders will personally collect the signatures, including those of Barisan Nasional leaders.

The fact is, he noted, Sabah's population has grown to a staggering 3.3 million and this is a major concern for the locals, especially the natives who are worried about their customary rights to land.

Due to the Moro separatist problem in southern Philippines during the 60s and 70s, Sabah's population increased from 653,000 in1970 to 955,712 - including 160,000 non Malaysians - in 1980.

The 1991 census showed a population of 1.7 million, of which 423,000 were non-Malaysians and the last census in 2000 showed a substantial increase to 2.6 million (revised downwards from the original 3.1 million), including 615,000 non-Malaysians

"It is estimated that the present population is between 3.2 and 3.3 million, with at least 1.5 million being non-Malaysians and those granted citizenship rights and privileges mostly as Bumiputeras," said activist Joshua Kong.

"In other words, the original inhabitants of Sabah have become a minority in their land while foreigners have become insiders and the privileged lot," he added.

Kong said a humanitarian gesture had been taken advantage of for domestic political considerations and this, he warned, could backfire on the nation.

Strong support

Sindu, who heads the Consumer Association of Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan, said he was motivated to start the campaign following the encouragement and support from several BN leaders and prominent individuals.

According to the activist, the group also hopes to get the signature of Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

"The MPs (who support the campaign) have said they will continue to raise the issue in Parliament," he said.

However, if the campaign fails to get the federal government to act, the group has an alternative strategy.

"We have talked to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to organise a conference on citizenship and land rights in Sabah later this year.

"I have talked to two Suhakam commissioners (Sabah's former state secretary ) Simon Sipaun and Dr Hamdan Adnan about this," said Sindu.

He also noted that foreigners were 'grabbing' state land to carry out illegal logging.

Meanwhile, Kong, who has authored several books, said the commission, if it is set-up, should also check who had authorised the issuing of many identity cards to the foreigners.

Foreigners, mostly from the predominantly-Muslim southern Philippines and East Kalimantan, are employed in plantations and the construction sector.