#ProjectIC RCI: Anwar Says It Is Not Only Dr M's Fault
The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) began on 14 January 2013 investigating the citizenship that was given to illegal immigrants in Sabah during Mahathir's premiership back in 1990. As the RCI probes, former prime minister, Dr M admits the existence of Project IC but blames his former deputy and current Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim as the puppet master behind citizenship-for-votes to immigrants. Now, let us read both sides of the story.
By cmenwong — 01 Feb 2013, 12:34 AM — Updated almost 11 years ago
EC Deputy Chairman Denies Involvement In Project IC
Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar told the High Court here yesterday that he was never involved in ‘Project IC’ in Sabah or held the post of EC director in the state, as was reported by PAS’ organ Harakah.
In his witness statement, Wan Ahmad, 65, said he had never served in Sabah throughout his career with the EC. As such, Wan Ahmad said two articles published in the organ to the effect clearly defamed him.
bernama.com.my
PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu agreed that he did not do sufficient research before alleging that EC deputy chairperson Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar was involved in giving out identity cards to foreigners with the intention of getting them to vote in Malaysian elections.
Anwar reveals a secret task force formed by the National Security Council was giving out ICs to foreigners since the 1970s
Anwar denied all knowledge, saying he had been kept out of the loop entirely.
Image via themalaymailonline.comA shadowy taskforce was entrusted with issuing Malaysian identification documents to foreigners in Sabah, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the state's illegal immigrants Thursday.
thestar.com.myHe said he had learnt during his term in the Government that this secretive taskforce was set up in the early 1970s when Tun Abdul Razak Hussein was Prime Minister and Tun Datu Mustapha Harun was Sabah chief minister.
thestar.com.myThe refugees were granted identity cards indiscriminately between 1979 and 1990, said Anwar, who said a special task force was formed by the National Security Council for this purpose. "The task force is still active today," he said.
themalaysianinsider.com
"Yes, I knew of this special task force but I was not privy to its workings or exact details of its tasks. Ultimately, Dr Mahathir was the person responsible and if he chose not to bring-up the issue during Cabinet meetings, you have to wonder why," said Anwar.
themalaysianinsider.com
“Between 1993 and 1998, when I was the deputy prime minister, I was never once invited for any National Security Council (NSC) meetings. I had heard of the special task force which had been set up by the NSC in 1989 but did not manage to get additional information"
themalaymailonline.com
“All those years I was deputy prime minister, I had nothing to do with the Home Ministry except to attend Quran readings and launching police stations in Perlis and Permatang Pauh,” he said.
malaysiakini.com
Anwar says it is not only Dr M's fault, Pak Lah and Najib also continued the operation of the secret task force
"I see in media reports, everything is blamed on Dr Mahathir, it is not right. The system has been in operation before him, was under him, and continued after that. But we have to stop it," Malaysiakini reported Anwar as saying.
“Dr Mahathir shouldn’t be singled out for Projek IC. Both his successors should also be questioned because it also occurred during their tenures in office,” the 66-year-old was quoted saying, referring to fifth prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the incumbent, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
themalaymailonline.com
“I do not believe that they have been disbanded, therefore I do not understand why Abdullah and Najib have not been called (to the RCI). They would have better knowledge, purview and understanding by looking at the notes and minutes of the task force which is under the National Security Council (NSC)."
themalaymailonline.com
“I would humbly admit that I would probably had done something more had I been made aware of the gravity of the problem at that time,” he said.
malaysiakini.com
Sabahan policitians say it is impossible Dr M did not know anything about Project IC
Sabah opposition leaders have accused former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad of lying when the latter denied any knowledge of the controversial Project IC, where identity cards were allegedly issued to foreigners in exchange for votes.
yahoo.comWhile they are not surprised with Dr Mahathir's denial, they said it was inconceivable that the country's fourth prime minister had no knowledge of the matter especially since individuals close to him were implicated as well.
themalaysianinsider.com
“We don’t believe him,” said Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing. “I think the majority of Sabah thinks that he is behind it and that he is hiding something,” the well-known Kadazandusun Murut leader.
themalaymailonline.com
"He didn't deny the existence of ICs being given indiscriminately to foreigners, he just denied knowledge of Project IC, which is just a label or name given by people," Kitingan told The Malaysian Insider.
yahoo.com“Dr Mahathir has been suffering from amnesia a lot lately. He spoke on oath too... he may believe what he wants to believe but us Sabahans know that Projek IC existed. It is quite impossible that he did not know anything,” the deputy PKR secretary-general added.
themalaymailonline.com
Lim Kit Siang: “I don’t think many people would believe that he never heard of Projek IC until recently because it was talked about since the 1990s. It is inconceivable that as the PM, he does not know what this is... and that he is even blaming it on the lower level of implementation".
“He is not telling the truth. The RCI has also seen so many witnesses speaking about Projek IC. So many evidence has come out... it cannot be denied,” the Tamparuli assemblyman said.
Dr M testifies in front of RCI today, denies any knowledge of Project IC
Security at the Kota Kinabalu High Court has been tightened as the country’s longest-serving Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad testify before the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) today. He would be the 209th and most distinguished witness to testify before the RCI.
themalaysianinsider.com
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said he had never heard of Project IC until recently nor had he ever issued any orders related to the indiscriminate issuance of identity cards to illegal immigrants in Sabah.
themalaysianinsider.com
"I never knew about Project IC until recently". Asked why it was named Project I.C. or Project M, Mahathir said his name was used for many things. "They call me racist, ultra, I am never bothered. It is part of political life."
Dr M blames it on low ranking officers
Taking the stand for nearly 90 minutes, Dr Mahathir said among the criteria used to issue the cards was that the foreigners had lived in the country for many years, speak the language and adopt the culture.
thestar.com.myTun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has blamed low-ranking officers for giving identity cards to foreigners in Sabah. The former prime minister told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Sabah’s illegal immigrant problem that there was never any government policy to issue the Malaysian identity cards to foreigners through dubious means.
thestar.com.myDr M stuck to his claim there was never any government policy to issue Malaysian identity cards to foreigners through dubious means. He also denied giving instructions to former Sabah chief minister Harris Salleh or any individual to issue the I.C.s.
Opposition leaders are not surprised with Dr M's testimony
"Does Mahathir really think anyone will believe him that Projek I.C. was undertaken by other politicians and civil servants on their own accord?" said another Opposition politician Nik Nazmi, after hearing Mahathir's testimony a few hours later.
"Dr M will deny everything. His presence is to do damage control. In the end, Malaysians, especially Sabahans, won't get anything useful out of the RCI. No one of importance will be brought to book," Opposition MP for Batu Tian Chua.
Anwar, who was Dr M's deputy when Project IC was carried out, will be called to the stand next week
The RCI's term will expire this month, unless the panel seeks an extension of time from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Anwar Ibrahim, who is now the opposition leader, is also expected to testify on Sept 19.
malaysiakini.com
"I was the grand designer of Project IC," says Matswadi Awi, former aide to Abdullah Badawi
“My job was to put in a data base all the names from “sacks” (berguni-guni) of photostated identity cards given to me (by Mustapha) and then distribute them to areas in Sabah to strengthen Usno for it to wrest power from PBS,” he explained of his design.
Matswadi, who is the 200th witness, also said that the names were sourced from illegal immigrants as well as Malaysian citizens especially from among Peninsular teachers serving in Sabah and the military staff as well as Felda settlers who were from Peninsular.
The common denominator for all witnesses was that the government was responsible for Sabah being flooded by thousands of immigrants, both legal and illegal. There has been anger at how the natives of Sabah are now grossly outnumbered by Indonesians and Filipinos.
“The next step is to look at those who are already in Sabah and what to do with them. Those with jobs should be regularised and documented while those without documents should be sent back to their home countries,” he said, responding to a question from conducting officer Manoj Kurup.
thestar.com.myPairin said when he was chief minister he had made a presentation to then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the late 1980s about the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
His government also organised an amnesty programme for illegal immigrants to get proper work permits but that amnesty was met with negative reactions from federal government which eventually ordered a stop to it.
"Tun Dr Mahathir and the likes of Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob (then deputy home minister) were only interested in remaining in power. They were willing to sacrifice anything and everything to tighten their grip on power, even if it meant the natives of Sabah will suffer."
"There were no phantom voters in Sabah," says Sulu leader, Datu Akjan
"There is no such thing as phantom voters in Sabah, it is something which has been sensationalised by politicians who have lost in the elections and want to appear to be heroes," Datu Akjan said, grinning at the RCI panel.
He told the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah that allegations of him being born in the Philippines and brought to Sabah by his uncle were all lies and media spin-off.
theborneopost.com
When asked what would his opinion be if the Government decides to revoke all the dubious identity cards, Akjan replied, “They have the right to do anything. Why not grant citizenship to immigrants who have been in Sabah for a long time?”
theborneopost.com
Foreign witnesses say Malaysian ICs were given out in the jungle and coffeeshop
Malaysian identity cards were issued to foreign migrants who worked at a logging camp in Kinabatangan, while some others collected theirs at a coffee shop in Kota Kinabalu, the Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants in Sabah heard today.
"I took a picture of myself, filled up all the forms at the camp, no testimonial was required. At that time, there were two men whom I did not recognise, handling the issuance of the IC," he said, adding the entire process took about two months.
Another witness who took the stand was Ahmad Soso, 53, who was also from Sulawesi. He said he arrived in Tawau in 1978, on an Indonesian passport. "I have voted in every election, except in 1990."
malaysiakini.com
“The man in the house filled in the form for me, took my fingerprints and asked me to pay RM10 stamp duty." Ahmad said the man called him three months later and passed the blue identity card to him at a coffeeshop in Kota Kinabalu.
malaysiakini.com
The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants in Sabah uncovered a forged identity card during today's proceedings. The forged document belonged to witness Ishak Us'luan, 46, who was on the stand. Ishak was born in Timor, Lambata, Indonesia.
“They can be born in Timbuktu but if the identity card says they were born in Sabah, and this IC was issued by the authorities, that will be the perception.
“The question is, who is to be blamed?” Shim asked.
malaysiakini.com
Key witness, Abdul Mutalib dies of a stroke on 29 June 2013, two days before sixth RCI session
Saudara Abdul Mutalib Mohamed Daud 51, telah menghembuskan nafas yang terakhir lebih-kurang jam 3.00 pagi hari Sabtu di Kota Kinabalu akibat serangan angin ahmar (stroke) dipangkuan isterinya Pn. Sarina Abd. Gani.
He was an activist who authored books highlighting the project, which generally lashed out at former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He alleged that Dr Mahathir started the programme to give identity cards to foreigners in exchange for votes.
His writings had been raised several times during the course of the Sabah RCI's investigation and his name was already on the witness list, due to be called soon.
malaysiakini.com
Before Mutalib's passing two days before the sixth session of the RCI inquest tomorrow, the former politician had already testified against former Sabah Chief Minister Harris Salleh last week at the defamation trial of PKR leader Chong Eng Leong.
Paranoia or not, Sabahans are no strangers to "sudden deaths" when it comes to the world of high-stakes politics. Among suspicious deaths that are still whispered around the state is 1976 helicopter crash, where former Sabah chief minister Fuad Stephens was killed.
Blamed Sulu Incursion for Project IC
Dr M's alleged involvement in giving express citizenship to immigrants in Sabah were blamed as the real cause of the stand-off in Lahad Datu between Malaysian security forces and Sulu gunmen.
malaysiakini.com
"We were told to take to the streets and demonstrate. Mahathir had apparently said that it was okay even if one or two casualties occurred," Hassnar claimed.
malaysiakini.com
New Video: Hantu! Mesti Tengok Sebelum PRU 13
“This is why Filipinos can stay in Malaysia illegally and attack us like terrorists.” “So many general elections have passed… if there are irregularities why not produce your evidence in court?”
malaysiadaily.my
New video mocking Project IC
A video showing Bangladeshis receiving MyKads with the Malaysia Truly Asia theme song in the background goes viral on the social networking site.
Project IC’s illegal purposes had returned to haunt Malaysians, noting that the ongoing tension in Sabah was an illustration of “policy blowback”
Ex-ISA detainee says her group processed Project IC
“There were 5 tasks for me – help to campaign, increase Malay voters, locating villagers in rural areas at the border of Sabah-Indonesia, and ensuring UMNO wins in toppling PBS,”
freemalaysiakini2.com"Kita bagi IC pada orang Filipina dan Indonesia. Tugas saya masa itu ialah berkempen uruskan projek IC. Purata saya rasa tak kurang dalam setengah juta dalam masa lima tahun itu" - Siti Aminah Mahmud
malaysiakini.com
A former ISA detainee has claimed she and her group had helped process “thousands of identity cards” for Sabah illegal immigrants in the early 1990s to help topple the PBS state government.
freemalaysiakini2.comJPN officers heads IC-selling group
“An estimate of RM11 million was accumulated throughout these actions (selling ICs),” a senior Special Branch officer told the RCI here.
Sindiket melibatkan bekas pengarah JPN Sabah mendapat RM11 juta hasil daripada penjualan IC kepada pendatang haram di Sabah.
Dr. M: I did not give citizenship illegally
Dr. M said that the pre-requisite for such the award of citizenship was for an individual to reside in Malaysia for a certain duration of time, among other requirements.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad hari ini membebaskan dirinya dari bertanggungjawab terhadap dakwaan pemberian kerakyatan secara haram kepada warga asing di Sabah pada masa lalu.
Anwar said Abdullah Badawi was involved too
"Mana ada saya terlibat... bohong. Saya dah kata tak terlibat, habislah...noktah. Saya memang tidak terlibat dengan perkara itu (Projek IC)," kata Pak Lah.
sinarharian.com.myAbdullah Badawi said Anwar implicated him in the issue to cover his own wrongdoing. "He is constantly blaming others. He will accuse other people and then he'll wash his hands off it."
thestar.com.my
Bekas perdana menteri Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menyangkal dakwaan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim bahawa beliau turut terbabit dalam Projek IC.
Illegal immigrants: very easy to get IC
Shortly after handing over the identity card, the man brought him to the Tawau court to sign a statutory declaration form, but he said he did not know what its contents were.
thestar.com.my
“He (the official) said can support the government... so I support the government lah,” said Yuhanis at the RCI today.
Seorang pendatang Indonesia memberitahu RCI seorang pegawai Mahkamah Adat Tawau memberinya kad pengenalan biru pada 1979 untuk mengundi kerajaan dalam pilihan raya.
Anwar testifies in the RCI head front about Project IC in Sabah
Anwar Ibrahim maintained today that he was not part of “Project IC” and insisted that his accuser, Mahathir, had engineered the operation that enfranchised immigrants to vote for BN.
Anwar berkata tuduhan tersebut tidak berasas sama sekali serta menegaskan tiada bukti bagi mengaitkan dirinya secara langsung dengan Projek IC tersebut.
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said he would have no problem testifying in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) probing the âProjec...
Jeffrey Kitingan, Sabah's veteran politician makes his statement
PETALING JAYA: Sabah's veteran politician Jeffrey Kitingan today expressed hope that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim would â tell the truthâ ...
Mahathir blames Anwar for Project IC
Dr Mahathir memberitahu beliau tidak pernah memberikan sebarang arahan kepada Anwar semasa pentadbirannya untuk mengarahkan pegawai di Sabah memberikan IC dengan sewenang-wenangnya.
Mahathir berkata, Anwar dan pegawai pelaksana di Sabah pada masa itu bertindak sendiri dan tidak semestinya mengikut arahan.
malaysiakini.com
"He (Anwar) had a hand in it. He normally takes the initiative himself," said Mahathir.
Dr. M however admitted that he has no evidence admissible in court to back his allegations regarding Anwar.
Malaysia Today. Independent News Portal in Malaysia. Read the latest news in the country covering issue on politics, business, lifestyle, community, and so much more.
PETALING JAYA: Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today claimed that his former deputy and current Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was the main man behind ...
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today suggested Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s involvement in the issuance of identity cards to illegal immigrants in Sabah but he admitted having no proof to back his claim.
mynewshub.myAbout the infamous Project IC
PROJECT IC: Betrayal to own race. Can we still trust?
malaysiakini.com
An Indian national and a Pakistani man told RCI that they received citizenship 2 and 3 years of arriving in Sabah
theborneopost.com
Those who issued ICs to foreigners in Sabah did it for money, RCI told
nst.com.my
Indian immigrant admitted receiving a blue identity card without providing any supporting documents
Malaysia's Merdeka equated to Project IC?
fz.com
Mahathir brazenly tried to justify Project IC or Project M which had perpetrated the capital crime and treason of “citizenship-for-votes” scam in Sabah to shore up UMNO’s political power in the state.
Mahathir, who was prime minister as well as home minister during the tumultuous 1980s and 90s, has admitted the Sabah Project I.C. or Project M was his baby.
How, when and why Project IC all started.
sabahkini.netProjek IC Sabah dilaporkan sebagai operasi bersepadu tetapi terselindung untuk memberi MyKad kepada rakyat asing, untuk tujuan mengubah demografi Sabah.
beritasemasa.com
Eight important things about Project IC.
blogspot.com
A former chief minister has rubbished claims of an organised effort to issue Malaysian identification documents to immigrants in Sabah under an alleged operation called “Projek IC”.
thestar.com.my
Projek IC Dr Mahathir telah menyebabkan ramai warga asing menjadi pengundi dalam pilihan raya dan kepentingan penduduk asal tidak lagi diambil kira.
blogspot.com
The so-called “Project IC” is in which citizenship was allegedly given to immigrants in exchange for their votes.
The opposition has accused former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad of arbitrarily distributing Malaysian ICs to foreigners and registering them as voters in the electoral roll.
What is RCI Sabah for?
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 ― The ongoing Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Sabah’s immigrant crisis has put the entire operations of the National Registration Department (NRD) under suspicion, said…
Sabah UMNO denies involvement in Project IC. True or False?
blogspot.com
Permanent residents and even citizens will also be quizzed on how they came into possession of their identification documents or how they obtained their present status.
malaysiandigest.comThe investigation would focus on whether the issuance of citizenship to the immigrants was made based on the law as well as investigate whether those were registered in the Electoral Roll.
theborneopost.com
The 5 man panel of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Sabah's illegal immigrant problem will start its public hearing on Jan 14.
thestar.com.my
Suruhanjaya itu juga akan menyiasat sama ada pendatang asing di Sabah, yang memegang kewarganegaraan secara tidak mengikut undang-undang, telah didaftarkan dalam daftar pemilih.
malaysiakini.com
RCI Sabah bertugas meneliti sama ada kad pengenalan biru atau dokumen kewarganegaraan dikeluarkan kepada pendatang asing dan punca peningkatan luar biasa penduduk di Sabah.
mstar.com.my