The terms of reference for the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into allegations of illegal immigrants being given citizenship in Sabah will feature comprehensive terms of reference, says de facto Law Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz.

“(This is) to ensure all problems linked to illegal immigrants in Sabah can be solved in a comprehensive manner.

“So the terms of reference for the RCI must be all-inclusive and not only focused on investigative aspects,” said the Padang Rengas parliamentarian in a written answer to an oral question from Senator Paul Kong Sing Chu in the Dewan Negara yesterday.

The terms of reference, explained Nazri, shall include security, social, economic and environmental aspects.

“This is in order to ensure that the RCI can provide a lasting solution.”

In order to frame the terms of reference, the government shall ask for feedback and views from the Sabah state government and other stakeholders.

The decision to form the RCI was made in a cabinet meeting on Feb 8 early this year, though the formation of the commission was delayed pending the framing of its terms of reference.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was expected to announce the RCI during his visit to Sabah in mid-February, but no announcement was made.

The push for the RCI came after an unprecedented bipartisan call for investigations into illegals in Sabah being granted citizenship, allegedly in exchange for votes.