IS A ROYAL COMMISSION WORTHY?

A futile exercise?

A new Royal Commission will be set up to investigate breach of human rights in the case of Teoh Beng Hock after the coroner's decision that he was either murdered or committed suicide. It is indeed a commendable move by the government in the interest of justice especially a high profile death like Teoh's. However, one cannot be pessimistic of constitution of yet another Royal Commission which is limited in both jurisdiction and power just like previous ones. Previously, the Royal Commission into misconduct of some high ranking former justices still failed to achieve the desired effect since up until today there are yet to be seen positive and concrete steps to rectify the already corroded image of the judiciary.

What is more appalling is the request by the request by the ruling coalition's 'fixed deposit' of a Royal Commission looking into the so-called Project IC. Compared to one person life, which by the way has been lost, to the fate of not only the present but future generations of a whole state, one can only see the dire need for the setting up of a Commission or any other ways possible to stop the erosion of Malaysians' rights and privileges from being further damage. SAPP is right for comparing both situations and I am for one sure they meant no disrespect to the late Teoh and his family. A life lost is indeed a tragedy but we are talking about millions of lives in the case of Sabah. For many years every Malaysian living in Sabah is put in constant danger of him or her being finally rooted out of the state.

The implication of illegals in the state is for everyone to see but those in authority do not seem to be bothered for reasons only themselves are aware of. Sabah has seen a sharp increase in the number of people in the state and it is no secret that such increase is attributed the the presence of high numbers of foreigners in the state. Today, they have even managed to slip into high positions based on their dubious identifications but yet again the relevant authority turn to look at the other side as if nothing happened.

Nonetheless, as stated earlier the establishment of a Royal Commission will not help much and in fact it will a futile step as well as a waste of the taxpayers money if its scope is limited and not holistic and sincere enough to look into the root of the problem. Even if we have such Commission another serious problem will immediately arise. What will happen to its findings? Will there be concrete and satisfactory results from its findings?

Sincerity or rather a political will to rid ourselves of the menace of those illegals is what Malaysians in Sabah really need just like what Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat had done years ago. Sadly, his initiative was not followed but instead mere sporadic and ineffective raids here and there are employed instead and today the problem is still with us. The authority should step up their efforts to solve the problem if they are really sincere of giving preference and priority to the well-being of genuine Malaysians in line with their "people first performance now" slogan.

Do not let the slogan be a mere political and election sweet talk. Do not let the Malaysians in Sabah down if they are sincere about the state being their fixed deposit. With the authority in their hands, they have the sacred responsibility of looking after the welfare and needs of the People , to whom they owed their power. Time is short and they need to act fast!