The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) has hailed Sabah Umno's support for the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the longstanding issues of illegal immigrants and Project IC in Sabah.

Describing the move as long overdue, Upko deputy information chief Sualim Gopog said it was a crucial milestone toward eventual resolution of the illegal immigrants issue and the extraordinary increase in the population in Sabah.

"The Umno support for the setting up of an RCI is indeed historic, and it will certainly become the watershed for the eventual resolution of the longstanding issues of illegal immigrants, particularly Project IC and the extraordinary increase in the population of Sabah.

"Upko hopes that the latest stand taken by Sabah Umno will mark an enhanced commitment by the ruling party to inculcate integrity in leadership and good governance," he said in a statement in Kota Kinabalu today.

Sualim was responding to the announcement by Sabah Umno information chief Sapawi Ahmad here yesterday that Sabah Umno openly supported the establishment of an RCI to look into allegations of non-citizens obtaining citizenship by dubious means.

No objections

Sapawi was quoted as saying that Sabah Umno had never objected to the setting up of an RCI on the issue, and adding that "the proper authority to decide is the federal cabinet".

Sualim said: "For Upko, our President Bernard Dompok has relentlessly pursued the matter at the federal level and the latest initiative is to finally meet up with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak tomorrow.

"We have been praying that the prime minister will consider positively the setting up of an RCI in line with his leadership approach of 1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now," he said.

Kiulu state assemblyman Louis Rampas, in welcoming the move, said Umno support for the RCI augured well for the state and its people.

"That means all state BN component parties speak in unison for the establishment of an RCI, and this is good for the people of Sabah who want to see the issues of illegal immigrants and Project IC solved once and for all," he said.

Louis, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Kiulu Division head and a PBS supreme council member, said he hoped that the federal government will set up the RCI as soon as possible.

- Bernama