Be thankful we have a brave govt: Dompok

Kota Kinabalu: Barisan Nasional (BN) should be handed a thumping victory in the forthcoming elections on the account that it is a government which is brave enough to take chances to solve problems.
"The people must support the BN because we have a new leadership that is not afraid to tackle issues and has also set up the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)," said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.
In this respect, Dompok, who is also Upko President, said the people of Sabah should therefore hand the coalition a handsome victory.
"The people of Sabah should be thankful that we have a brave government that is willing to take a risk to solve a problem and I see no reason for the BN votes to decrease on account of what the RCI is doing for the State and country. It would not make sense (for it to happen)."
He said this in response to a question on whether the support for BN in the coming general election would be effected following revelations that phantom voters were planted in certain areas, contributing to victories for some BN candidates during previous elections.
On a question regarding former State Secretary Tan Sri Simon Sipaun and DAP Adviser Lim Kit Siang alleging that the RCI would not be able to settle anything regarding the problem in the State, Dompok brushed aside their claims.
"That is what they say. They said 'the RCI would be stillborn and wouldn't even see the light of day', but now it has seen the light and is basking in the sunlight. And when the Pakistanis came out to testify, they said 'Oh the Government would'nt do anything about it.' Wait! Give the BN a thumping victory and we will prove what we can do."
To another question on whether opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would be called to testify in the RCI, Dompok said if indeed Anwar had something to say he should be called.
On whether former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad would be called to testify, Dompok said again it would be up to the RCI.
"I suppose the avenue for him to enlarge his statements could be at the RCI if he wants, but it's up to the RCI to call him or for him to volunteer."
On whether it was right for Mahathir to give citizenship to the illegals, Dompok said he was of the view that citizenship must follow the law and procedures have to be followed and that one cannot give citizenship to anybody and anytime they like.
"I saw a nice picture of the Australian Prime Minister kissing a new Australian citizen on Australia Day and this citizen had to recite the Australian anthem and there was a special ceremony to welcome them.
"So things like these should be done properly with proper procedures, so there is a meaning to citizenship. How can it be meaningful if you can just become a citizen overnight or it is given to just about everybody else under very dubious considerations?"
On the claims that 200 illegals were issued Malaysian identity cards within the framework of the law, Dompok said:
"That's why we have the RCI because obviously we would not be able to get the details. I've tried it before when in Parliament when I was Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity where I tried to inquire deeper into this issue but could not, so I'm very happy that the RCI has been set up so people can ask questions and anybody subpoenaed."
On the call by Perkasa leader Ibrahim Ali to burn Malay language Bibles contain the word 'Allah', Dompok said he was made to understand that Perkasa has now rescinded their call.
"I think Perkasa has now realised their folly. I understand today that they do not recommend it anymore and I think all right thinking Malaysians should condemn this type of threats which should not exist in Malaysia.
"How can you burn other people's religious books? You can burn a book that contains that particular word that you don't like but you can't burn it out of the hearts of people who use it."