A group of Sabah-based non-governmental organisations and individuals have formed the Patriotic Citizens Forum on Identity Cards (Pacific) to collect signatures from concerned citizens to get the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry.

"Pacific's main objective is to organise a signature campaign on all aspects on the presence of the large number of illegal immigrants in Sabah and then submit it to the King to urge him to set up the commission," its secretary-general Joshua Kong told malaysiakini today.

Kong said the Consumer Association of Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan (Cash) is the lead organiser and sponsor.

The committee, he added, comprises NGOs and concerned individuals.

Pacific is expected to be launched in April probably during a forum to be organised by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Kong said the signature campaign is expected to start during the forum.

According to him, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president and Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Rural Development Pairin Kitingan had made what he called 'very positive' comments on Pacific's move, contrary to the reaction of most state Barisan Nasional leaders initially.

Under fire

Leading NGO activist and Cash president Patrick Sindu was strongly criticised for trying to organise the signature campaign and attempting to enlist the support of state BN leaders.

However, this has failed to deter the momentum to launch the campaign.

The NGOs claim there are at least two million illegal immigrants in Sabah although this figure has been disputed by the authorities.

They also claim that at least half of these illegal immigrants have been issued with genuine identity cards (Extra People with Identity Cards (Epic), which is a matter of great concern to the locals, especially native inhabitants.


.