By Daniel John Jambun, Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) notes the statement by Saifuddin Nasution Ismail that the government will not adopt a “pukul borong” approach in issuing identity documents to fire victims in Sandakan.
Let us be absolutely clear:
Sabahans have heard similar assurances before.
1. THE ISSUE IS NOT THE WORDS — IT IS THE HISTORY
For decades, Sabah has faced serious allegations of:
irregular identity card issuance
undocumented population growth
administrative failures acknowledged by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)
Against this backdrop, statements about “case-by-case verification” are not enough.
Sabah does not suffer from lack of policy —
Sabah suffers from lack of accountability.
2. WHERE ARE THE SAFEGUARDS?
The Minister speaks of “not issuing documents indiscriminately.”
BoPiMaFo asks:
Who is verifying these cases?
What criteria are being applied?
Where is the independent oversight?
What safeguards prevent repetition of past abuses?
Without answers, such assurances amount to administrative rhetoric.
3. RCI FINDINGS STILL IGNORED
More than a decade after the RCI report:
its recommendations remain largely unimplemented
systemic weaknesses in identity management 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.
4. HUMANITARIAN CRISIS CANNOT BE USED AS A COVER
BoPiMaFo supports urgent assistance to fire victims.
But let it be said clearly:
A humanitarian crisis must never become an administrative loophole.
Compassion must not be used to justify loosened scrutiny.
5. SABAHANS ARE WATCHING
Statements alone will not restore trust.
Only transparent processes, independent oversight, and full accountability will.
Until then:
“No pukul borong” is not a guarantee —
it is merely a slogan.
BoPiMaFo calls upon Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and the Federal Government to:
disclose the verification framework;
involve credible Sabah-based oversight;
demonstrate compliance with RCI principles;
Anything less will only deepen public distrust.
Sabah does not need reassurances.
Sabah demands proof.
