The conclusions drawn in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on illegal immigrants in Sabah, based on the denials of a few BN politicians, do not add up, says PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar.

The findings of RCI that the ‘Project IC’ was money motivated is “weird and awkward”, Mahfuz, who is the MP for Pokok Sena in Kedah, said.

"I am shocked that simply based on the denials of several powerful politicians at that time - such as former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad - who claimed that it was not political in nature, RCI concluded that the project is money-motivated and not political.

"I find it strange and awkward as to how easily a 'royal' inquiry can come up with such an embarrassing conclusion,” Mahfuz told a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Mahfuz ( left ), who based his statement on a news report from the Malay daily Berita Harian , said that he has yet to get a copy of the report for himself.

He then added that the findings have "shamed the Royal institution" who had appointed them in the first place.

Mahfuz said that instead of conducting a more thorough and comprehensive investigation into the testimonies of the five witnesses, the RCI had merely admitted that "they did not have a chance to cross-examine them".

The witnesses referred to were all officers from the National Registration Department (NRD).

"I don't think that is sensible. They should have cross examined the five witnesses. This is strange to me. This report is very questionable," he reiterated.

The widely anticipated 376 page report released on Dec 3, had cleared the government and political parties of any involvement in the mass issuance of citizenship under Project IC to migrants in Sabah.

The RCI was set up to investigate claims that federal agencies and Umno leaders were issuing ICs to illegal immigrants in Sabah.

Mahfuz, who is also Pokok Sena MP, said that since the RCI had admitted that Project IC may have existed, it should have taken action on the five witnesses.

"I believe that if action was taken against the five people, then it will - without a doubt - reveal a more detailed political motive, which I believe is the real motive behind Project IC in Sabah," he asserted.

He added that the report should be debated in Parliament and that the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should not be "afraid' to call for a parliamentary session.

Mahfuz also urged for a new RCI on the same matter, which he says should conduct an in-depth investigation into the matter, especially on the motive of Project IC.