Sabah Umno: No, fires weren’t started to give illegals citizenship

Sabah Umno Youth chief Aziz Julkarnain says Welfare Department has confirmed all victims are locals and not illegal immigrants as rumoured.

Villagers salvage what they can of their homes after the fire which razed Kg Cenderamata 2 in Likas. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno has dismissed rumours that the two fires which razed more than 450 houses within the span of a week were staged so that victims who are illegal immigrants could be given citizenship.

Sabah Umno Youth chief Abdul Aziz Julkarnain told FMT that the rumours were started by cybertroopers of “dubious identity” to cause panic, especially among the local people.

“Some of these rumours stated that most of the people living in the water villages in Kg Cenderamata 2, Likas and Kg Air Hujung, Semporna are not locals and even illegals.

“It was believed that the fires were meant to identify them and give them the proper documentation so they could become citizens of this country.

“However, we have gone to the ground since day one in Likas and I can assure that this is not the case. According to the Welfare Department, the victims are all locals with proper documents,” he said.

He did not reject the possibility that the rumours were spread to make Parti Warisan Sabah, which leads the state government, look bad, especially in the eyes of the natives.

However, he said as far as he was concerned, these actions were not the work of Umno.

“It is no secret that Warisan has promised to give houses and land to those living in squatter houses. This is in its manifesto.

“But to say that the fires were started just so the victims can claim the promise or to give illegals documentation is ridiculous.”

He noted that Kg Air Hujung and Kg Air Tengah in Semporna were home to several prominent Sabah leaders in the past such as former head of state Sakaran Dandai.

Even Chief Minister Shafie Apdal’s father used to live in the village, he said.

Besides, he added, the Immigration Department would have arrested the fire victims if it was true that a majority of them were illegal immigrants.

Aziz said instead of politicising the issue, it was better for the people to band together and help the victims, who number more than 1,000.

The rumours which began spreading through WhatsApp and Telegram messages have been widely shared and discussed, especially among groups such as Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) and Sabah Sarawak Union UK (SSU UK).

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Youth chief said Sabah Umno would continue to exist as a party in Sabah, denying reports that members of the national-based party would quit and join a new local-based party.

“Despite what has been said, one can see how local parties fared in the past without the help of a national party. Usno, Berjaya, Parti Bersatu Sabah – all were local parties but they got nothing from the federal government.

“At least, when Umno was in power, we managed to get a lot of things. Cabotage policy was suspended, development funds were increased. And look at how Warisan is doing now. They can do nothing and only have to listen to the federal government,” he said. -FMT