Dr M and Project IC blamed for Sulu incursion
‘Project IC’ and then-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's alleged involvement in the scheme to give express citizenship to immigrants in Sabah were roundly blamed as the real cause of the stand-off in Lahad Datu between Malaysian security forces and Sulu gunmen.
‘Project IC’ and then-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's alleged involvement in the scheme to give express citizenship to immigrants in Sabah were roundly blamed as the real cause of the stand-off in Lahad Datu between Malaysian security forces and Sulu gunmen.
At a three-hour forum yesterday on the Lahad Datu incursion, Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), which organised the event, declared Mahathir as a "real traitor" for the role he allegedly played in orchestrating Project IC.
SAMM chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard (right) , said this when concluding the forum at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) last night.
Several political leaders and NGO members from Sabah spoke during the event, most of them criticising the federal government's handling of the incursion and also reminding the audience of the significance of Project IC.
"Mahathir claims that it is a coincidence that the rise in Sabah's population happened just months before a general election was due to take place,” Tuaran MP Wilfred Burmburing
(left)
said.
“How can we believe him? It is he who is lying time and again. You can't cover one lie with another."
PAS Youth elections director Mohd Sany Hamzan called Mahathir "ungrateful" in relation to a remark questioning the actions of first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman in granting citizenship to Chinese and Indians in the country.
"... If Tunku had not granted citizenship to the Chinese and Indians, who would have given citizenship to Mahathir's father?" he asked in an obvious swipe at Mahathir's Indian lineage.
The crowd was vociferous in voicing contempt when SAMM showed a video clip of a press conference at which Mahathir had denied his involvement in Project IC.
A chorus of boos rang out when Mahathir brushed away questions regarding his hand in the scheme.
More than 3,000 people filled the hall and spilled out onto the streets around KLSCAH, with many resorting to sitting on the pavement as they followed the forum intently.
Many Sabahans were present to voice dissatisfaction with the way Sabah has been treated by the federal government over the years.
National laureate A Samad Said made a brief appearance to recite a poem attacking BN, before expressing surprise at the high turnout among Sabahans.
Chegubard later told reporters that, in light of revelations made during the forum, SAMM would consider holding similar forums nationwide to spread the message about the state of affairs in Sabah.
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