SABAH RCI The foreign intrusion at Lahad Datu in February is a clear example of how the presence of foreign migrants in Sabah can pose a security threat, said the police.

NONE Sabah police chief Hamza Taib ( right ) - in his evidence at the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into illegal migrants in Sabah - said this is because the intruders had received support from migrants already settled in the state.

"The latest security implication (of foreign migrants) is the intrusion which had a deep impact, not only to security personnel, but also to the people of Sabah," said Hamza, who led the operations.

However, when asked by commissioner Herman Luping if the intruders had identity cards, Hamza said, "I disagree".

"Hundred percent of them are illegals; they were supported by locals - at least a portion of them (locals) - but not many, and we have charged them under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma)," he added.

He said that the migrants who assist the intruders may be legal or illegal, as some may have entered legally although their work passes have since expired.

Can't say if intrusion would recur

Hamza was also asked by watching brief lawyer John Sinkuyan if an "uprising will happen again" among the foreign migrants.

However, the police chief - who appeared defensive - took issue with the word "uprising" and said that what happened in Kampung Tanduo was an "intrusion".

"It was not an uprising, but an intrusion because certain factions there are unhappy and think that Sabah is theirs.

NONE "If you want to say ‘uprising’, I would say that the support may be there, but we are monitoring it," he said.

When pressed on whether the incident may recur, he said: "I cannot say".

Asked by commissioner Kamaruzaman Ampon, he then denied that the intruders came as a result of the formation of the RCI.

Hamza also testified that there are instances where identity cards presented by migrants are "doubtful", upon which the matter is referred to the National Registration Department.

Meanwhile, he said that foreigners only contribute to 15 percent of the crime index in Sabah.

"It is very subjective, but to me, when you look at the percentage it is not very serious," he said, to a question by RCI chairperson Steve Shim.

steve shim chief justice of sabah and sarawak However, statistics tendered as evidence showed that foreigners contribute to about half of the murder cases in Sabah.

Hamza said that most of the crime committed by foreigners involve other foreigners, and rarely have there been local victims.

When asked by Shim ( left ) if police logistics can handle crime committed by foreigners, he said yes and that it can only be an extra burden if the crime occurs in the interiors.

To this, conducting officer Manoj quipped, "If you want more manpower, now is the time to ask for it".

Hamza, however, insisted that the authorities have enough to work with.