Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today affirmed that he had never given any instruction on the issuing of identity cards (ICs) to illegal immigrants in Sabah during his tenure as the fourth Malaysian prime minister.
Testifying before the Royal Commission of Inquiry, here, to investigate the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah, Dr Mahathir repeatedly stressed that the issuing of ICs to the illegal immigrants was done in accordance with Malaysian law and the Federal Constitution.
Questioned by conducting officer Manoj Kurup, Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years from 1981 until 2003, also denied that he had any knowledge about the so-called "Project IC" or "Project Mahathir" in Sabah, which allegedly granted citizenship to illegal immigrants.
Manoj: Did you at anytime when holding office as prime minister and home minister give any directive to issue ICs to the illegal immigrants?
Dr Mahathir: No, I did not. The issuing of ICs to the illegal immigrants was done in accordance with the Federal Constitution and the law in Malaysia.
Manoj: There were complaints that some illegal immigrants who came to Sabah and unqualified as citizens, were given ICs by the authorities at that time through a so-called project "Project IC". Do you have any knowledge of this?
Dr Mahathir: I only heard of "Project IC" recently. Before this, I never knew of this "Project IC".
Manoj: Some people called it "Project Mahathir". Do you know that?
"Oh, thank you very much for calling the project under my name," the former premier said, drawing laughter from people in the courtroom.
"I heard my name had been used everywhere for many things. They called me racist, ultra but I'm never bothered. It's part of my political life," said Dr Mahathir.
Bernama
Wed Sep 11 2013
Mohd Azizulhasni tekad dikalungkan pingat emas di Paris
Azizulhasni tekad untuk 'dikalungkan' pingat emas pertama Malaysia di Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 pada penampilan terakhirnya di temasya itu.
USM cipta rekod hasilkan kaligrafi Cina 2.68km
Penuntut USM cipta rekod dalam MBOR apabila menghasilkan penulisan kaligrafi Cina sepanjang 2.68 kilometer.
MITRA sudah belanja RM40 juta daripada peruntukan RM100 juta tahun ini
Sebanyak RM40 juta daripada peruntukan RM100 juta yang disalurkan kerajaan tahun ini kepada MITRA telah dimanfaatkan untuk pelbagai program.
Laporan Pasaran Labuan IBFC 2023 tunjukkan pemulihan kukuh, pertumbuhan luar biasa
Laporan Labuan IBFC 2023 mendedahkan pertumbuhan luar biasa wilayah itu yang menyumbang RM1.2 bilion kepada hasil fiskal Malaysia dan melepasi paras RM1 bilion buat pertama kalinya.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Guinea-Bissau akur kepada Israel, tidak beri kebenaran guna bendera bagi misi pelayaran
Kerajaan Republik Guinea-Bissau dilaporkan tunduk dan akur kepada gesaan Israel untuk tidak membenarkan misi pelayaran Break The Siege: Freedom Flotilla to Gaza menggunakan bendera mereka.
Penyakit berkaitan haba dikhuatiri meningkat di Gaza
Penularan penyakit berkaitan haba panas menjadi kebimbangan terbaharu di Gaza selepas suhu luar jangka melampau melanda wilayah itu setiap hari. Ia sudah semestinya diburukkan lagi dengan kekurangan air bersih dan ketiadaan sistem pembuangan sisa pepejal yang sepatutnya wujud di sesebuah kawasan didiami manusia.
Ilhan Omar melawat peserta tunjuk perasaan
Wakil Dewan Perwakilan Amerika Syarikat (AS) Ilhan Omar mengadakan lawatan di kampus penyokong Pro Palestin di Universiti Columbia New York pada Khamis.
Dua lelaki didakwa jadi 'tali barut' kepada China
Dua lelaki yang mana salah seorangnya pernah bertugas di Parlimen United Kingdom (UK) enjalani proses perbicaraan di mahkamah London pada Jumaat selepas didakwa menjadi tali barut menyalurkan maklumat sulit kerajaan kepada negara tembok besar itu.
Polis serbu pejabat 'Save the Children' di Guatemala
Polis Guatemala melakukan serbuan mengejut ke atas pejabat-pejabat Pertubuhan Save the Children di pelbagai lokasi di negara itu. Ia bagi mencari bukti dakwaan pertubuhan yang memperjuangkan kebajikan kanak-kanak itu, terlibat dalam jenayah penderaan terhadap golongan itu.
LIMA '25 dianjurkan pada 20-24 Mei tahun depan
Pameran Maritim dan Aeroangkasa Antarabangsa Langkawi 2025 (LlMA ‘25) akan dianjurkan pada 20 hingga 24 Mei tahun depan bertemakan Innovate Today, Thrive Tomorrow.