PKR’s Penampang MP Darell Leiking today said that he stood by his words and refused to make any apologies despite facing widespread criticism for calling illegal immigrants in Sabah as ‘pilaks’ yesterday.

Yesterday, in a series of Twitter postings, Darell used the term ‘pilaks’ to describe the illegal immigrants in the state, as part of his criticism against the lack of solution towards the problem in Sabah.

‘Pilak’ is a derogatory term used against Southern Filipinos.

He was criticised by several human rights activists, including Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director Eric Paulsen for his comments, with Eric comparing Darell’s statement to the Myanmar government asking Rohingyas to leave the country.

But Darell today insisted that he still stood by what he said.

He jibed at those who labelled him as racist, saying that those criticising him should instead take all the illegal immigrants to peninsula Malaysia.

“I ask all these humane people to do their part and be responsible and do this for us Sabahans - by taking these illegal immigrants cum new citizens to your own backyard, especially Malaya,” he said.

“I stand by what I said,” he added.

The royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report on the illegal immigrants in Sabah was finally released last week but did not name anyone as being responsible for the mass awarding of citizenship for illegal immigrants.