Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposal to set-up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) on pre-Merdeka citizenship can create "mistrust" and affect the unity of Malaysians, says Gerakan.

NONEThe BN component party's deputy president Chang Ko Youn (left) said that it was "unhelpful" and "irrelevant".

"This statement made by Dr Mahathir will not bring any benefit to the society and at the same time affect the unity of Malaysians.

"Such unhelpful remarks will create mistrust and suspicions among Malaysians," he said in a press statement today.

He added that the issuance of citizenships prior to Independence was agreed to by the nation's forefathers and should be respected.

Echoing Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon, he said that this was a "historical fact" which did not need to be brought up.

"It is regrettable that an elderly respected statesman would utter such remarks," he said.

Close aides implicated

Mahathir had suggested that a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) be set up to investigate the granting of citizenships to a million non-Malays in Malaya prior to independence.

He made the suggestion in relation to the ongoing RCI into illegal migrants in Sabah.

Among others, witnesses who have testified in the inquiry have implicated Mahathir's close aides in an operation to grant identity cards to illegal migrants.

Meanwhile, Chang also said that he was "appalled" by the remarks made by the Bar Council on the inquiry and it should know to only draw conclusions on the basis of full evidence.

Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee said the EC had been derelict in its duty and questioned why it had not been taken to task for not responding to similar allegations in an election petition on the Likas seat a decade ago.

Related stories

Ambiga: EC can't wait until after RCI to act

Tell the truth at Sabah RCI, Umno dares Anwar

Ignore Dr M's pre-Merdeka citizenship claims, says KJ

Sabah Bersih chief: RCI should subpoena Mahathir

Probe ex-Sabah EC director, demands Sarawak PKR chief

Overseas postal voters must satisfy '30-day' rule

Vast difference between citizenship in 1957 and 1990s

Dr M living in fear of his own shadow