WILL HE REALLY PUNISH THE KINGPINS? PM vows to act on Sabah RCI's advice

PENAMPANG - RECOMMENDATIONS from the Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants in the state will be implemented with strong political will.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak gave this assurance to safeguard the interests of Sabah at the 28th Parti Bersatu Sabah annual delegates conference here, yesterday.

Earlier, party president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, in his speech, said he hoped that the government would prioritise in outlining the solutions to the problem once the RCI report was presented.

"Immediate steps are needed to ensure the issue is no longer deemed as a mother of all problems in Sabah. Effective strategy, including strict enforcement of the law, is important as we don't want them (illegal immigrants) to think that Sabah is easy for them to enter.

"I am confident the Barisan Nasional government with the prime minister at the helm will be firm in its political will to resolve the problem."

Present were state Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Najib also said requests from the state government for more infrastructure development projects, such as roads, water supply and hospitals, would be considered.

"Wait until Friday," he said, referring to the 2014 Budget which will be tabled in Parliament on Friday. He said there were a lot of developments required in the state but it would take time as Sabah was a big state.

"Our track record shows that we deliver what we promised and the BN government remains solid on this."

On the death of self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram III, in Manila two days ago, Najib said he hoped his followers would end their hopeless dream of claiming Sabah as it would only lead to bloody miseries.

"I have said this before, we will not surrender an inch to those who threaten our sovereignty," he said, referring to the intrusion by followers of Jamalul Kiram III in Lahad Datu in February this year.

Najib said he was always in consultation with Musa and other state leaders on the security of Sabah which was also boosted recently with the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom)and the declaration of the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone.

In Kuala Lumpur, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the country would not let its guard down, despite the death of Jamalul Kiram III.

He said security forces had identified seven individuals from Kiram's family who still posed a threat and were intent to take over Sabah.

"Police and Esscom will continue to be vigilant. We will continue with our intelligence gathering to monitor the seven (individuals)," he said, declining to reveal their names, at the Parliament lobby.

Earlier, at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Sarawak 13th triennial general assembly in Kuching, Najib told the delegates that differences within a party were something that could not be avoided, but managing it well would always make the party stronger.

"There is no substitute for party stability, be it for Umno or PBB. A party's survival lies deeply in its unity. Any differences within the party must be managed well and members at all levels must always put the party's interest first before others."

Najib also said the unity within PBB was the key for survival as the strength of the second largest political party in the country could not be disputed after delivering a clean sweep victory in the May 5 polls.

He said Sarawak also had been the key for BN's survival and it was clearly shown at the May 5 polls.

"We at the federal level acknowledge this and in showing our gratitude for their strong support, we will never abandon Sarawak and continue to help the state develop further, especially in rural areas.

"Politics is more about perception than reality. With a strong party like PBB, and a strong perception, we believe Sarawak BN will win in the coming state polls."

Najib also acknowledged Sarawak's decision to be part of Malaysia 50 years ago with its own interpretation, agreement and special rights.

"Sarawak is a vast and developing state, and there are many more places that lack basic necessities. With political support from Sarawak, we will ensure continuous Federal Government support for the state.

"People from the peninsula shed their blood for Sarawak and the same for Sarawakians who shed their blood in the peninsula. We have died for each other during our early days and with this in mind, to have a strong country we need to be united despite our differences and learn to accept each other's differences for the greater good of our nation."

Additional reporting by Avila Geraldine, Dennis Wong, Goh Pei Pei and Esther Landau

Najib, accompanied by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (right), arriving for Parti Bersatu Sabah’s 28th annual delegates conference in Kota Kinabalu. Pic by Edmund Samunting