Daniel said Sabahans had heard similar assurances before, stressing that the issue was not about political statements but longstanding systemic concerns.
KOTA KINABALU (April 22): The Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) has raised concerns over the federal government’s assurance that it will not adopt a blanket approach in issuing identity documents to fire victims in Sandakan.
In a statement, BoPiMaFo president Daniel John Jambun said Sabahans had heard similar assurances before, stressing that the issue was not about political statements but longstanding systemic concerns.
“Sabahans have heard similar assurances before,” he said.
Daniel said Sabah’s longstanding challenges involving identity documentation must be viewed in the context of past allegations of irregular identity card issuance, undocumented population growth, and administrative weaknesses previously highlighted by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
“The issue is not the words, it is the history. For decades, Sabah has faced serious allegations involving irregular identity card issuance and systemic failures acknowledged by the RCI,” he said.
Daniel questioned what safeguards are currently in place to ensure proper verification of fire victims affected in Sandakan.
“Who is verifying these cases? What criteria are being applied? Where is the independent oversight? What safeguards prevent repetition of past abuses?” he questioned.
Daniel said that without clear answers, assurances of case-by-case verification would amount to mere administrative rhetoric.
He also pointed out that more than a decade after the RCI report, many of its recommendations remain unimplemented, while systemic weaknesses in identity management continue to persist.
“Now, in a situation involving thousands of affected individuals, the same system is expected to operate flawlessly, without reform, without transparency, and without accountability. This is not reassuring. This is alarming,” he said.
At the same time, Daniel stressed that it supports urgent humanitarian assistance for fire victims but cautioned against weakening administrative scrutiny.
“A humanitarian crisis must never become an administrative loophole. Compassion must not be used to justify loosened scrutiny,” he added.
He said statements alone were insufficient to restore public trust and called for transparent processes, independent oversight and full accountability.
He urged the federal government and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to disclose the verification framework, involve credible Sabah-based oversight, and demonstrate compliance with RCI recommendations.
“Anything less will only deepen public distrust. Sabah does not need reassurances. Sabah demands proof,” said Daniel.
