‘We’ll go after those responsible based on RCI findings’

The Star
by RUBEN SARIO

TAWAU: The Government will take appropriate action including criminal prosecution based on the findings by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) probing Sabah's illegal immigrant problem, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said.

He said the A-G's Chambers would have to find out if there was sufficient evidence before it could start any legal action.

“If criminal offences have been committed, we will take action. If there is any wrongdoing, we will correct it.

“That is why we have the RCI,” he said after the launch of the Sabah and Sarawak legal year by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria here yesterday.

Abdul Gani noted that there were differences between an RCI and a criminal proceeding in court.

“In the RCI, whatever people say will be accepted even if they say something without any proof or based on hearsay.

“When we go to court, we need to have admissible evidence. But this is not an excuse for us not to do anything against those who have done wrong,'' he said.

The testimonies from the nearly 30 witnesses since the RCI began in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 14 include claims that tens of thousands of Malaysian identity cards and other documents were given to foreigners in Sabah.

“The Prime Minister has said that the RCI would be transparent and so all these details are coming out,'' said Abdul Gani, adding that the public should allow the five-member commission headed by former Sabah and Sarawak Chief Judge Tan Sri Steve Shim to do its duty unhindered.

Earlier in his speech, Abdul Gani said the credibility and integrity of the RCI must be safeguarded at all costs.

“As all lawyers are aware, witnesses can easily be affected by external comments and conclusions made by third parties without proper evidence.

“What more when not all the evidence has been adduced before the RCI as yet,'' he said.