BERSIH SABAH DEMAND 'NO RCI, NO GE'

THE 11th of September 2012 marks exactly one month since the announcement of the Terms of Reference on Sabah's Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants was announced.

However, as to date, there is nothing but deafening silence on this matter as there is yet to be any concrete action taken to show that the government is serious in carrying out their promises to the people of Sabah.

Bersih Sabah is demanding explanations for the long delay in the implentation of the RCI.

"Patience is wearing thin - as of today there is still no Agong's edict on the appointment of the commissioners," according to a member of Bersih who refuses to be named.

"With no official appointment of the commissioners, the promise of the RCI is just an empty shell. Beautiful, but pointless. We demand that the necessary steps to form the RCI must be completed before the 13th general election takes place.Otherwise, it would seem like the whole matter was just a political gimmick meant to appease the public without any real commitment." the Bersih member continues.

However, even with the formation of the RCI now, it is unlikely that the findings will be completed before the 13th general election, which is due any day now, given the 6-months time frame. The findings are of extreme importance, as it is forms the root cause of the people's distrust that the the whole electoral process is rigged.

The issuance of identity cards or citizenship for votes is a very serious allegation that the current government is facing. Bersih Sabah is therefore imploring the government to step up and clear their names, which can only happen if they take the issue of RCI seriously and with immediate effect.

The demand for RCI for Sabah's illegal immigrants is in line with Bersih's nationwide call for clean and fair elections. Having the election now, without the RCI, means that the government has too much to hide.

Bersih Sabah again stresses that "No RCI, No GE".