The government's inaction on Sabah's Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants one month after its terms of reference were announced has irked the Bersih movement in Sabah.

Yesterday marked exactly one month since the announcement of the terms of reference for the RCI, Sabah Bersih pointed out today.

"However, to date there has been nothing but deafening silence on this matter...

"There is yet to be any concrete action taken to show that the government is serious in carrying out the promises to the people of Sabah," Sabah Bersih said in a statement.

The movement for clean and fair elections demanded an explanation for the long delay, adding that "patience is wearing thin".

As of today, it said, there was still no edict from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the appointment of the commissioners

Political gimmick meant to appease the public?

"With no official appointment of the commissioners, the promise of the RCI is just an empty shell. Beautiful, but pointless. We demand that the necessary steps to form the RCI be completed before the 13th general election takes place.

"Otherwise, it will seem like the whole matter is just a political gimmick meant to appease the public without any real commitment," the statement says.

However, Sabah Bersih stressed, even with the formation of the RCI now, it was unlikely that the commission's findings could be completed before the next general election, given the six-month time frame.

The next general election must be called by June 2013.

"The findings are of extreme importance as they form the root cause of the people's distrust in the whole electoral process," it said.

'No RCI, no general election'

The alleged issuance of identity cards or citizenship for votes, said the movement, was a very serious allegation that the current government faced.

"Sabah Bersih is therefore imploring the government to step up and clear their names, which can only happen if they take the issue of the RCI seriously and with immediate effect.

"Having the election now, without the RCI, means that the government has too much to hide.

"No RCI, no general election," it stressed.

The establishment of the RCI has been repeatedly delayed. Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak first announced its setting up on June 1, but its members and terms of reference were only announced on Aug 11.

The five-member panel led by former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Steve Shim is still waiting for its official appointment.

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