Commission won't solve Sabah's immigration problem

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today rejected a suggestion for a royal commission of inquiry into Sabah's immigrant problem.

He said that such a commission, as proposed by Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, would not solve the problem.

"The commission will not bring us anywhere because we want a solution. We want something that is practical, something that can be resolved, a balance between economic and security requirements," he told reporters here after a Chinese New Year gathering at Kahang, Kluang.

Hishammuddin said that a laboratory had been set up under Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to study the immigrant problem.

The laboratory had forwarded a proposal to the Sabah cabinet and was waiting for the response from state leaders.

"If they find the proposal sound, then support it. If it is not good enough, then propose something else," he said.

On the claim of a businessman in Sabah that he was the Sultan of Sulu, he said it had nothing to do with the immigrant problem.

Hishammuddin said that there had been three reports against the businessman, and investigations into the case had started.

- Bernama