Dr M claims never heard of Projek IC ‘until recently’

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today denied spearheading or even knowing about the citizenship-for-votes initiative “Projek IC”, saying in his opening testimony at the Sabah Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) that he had only heard of it recently.

Dr Mahathir, who has been repeatedly accused of being the mastermind of the initiative, told the royal panel hearing in Kota Kinabalu this morning that it was common for his name to be dragged through the mud in such controversial matters.

“I never heard about it until recently,” he insisted, according to news portal Malaysiakini.

The country’s longest-serving former prime minister was later asked why “Projek IC” or “Projek M”, as it is often dubbed to indicate Dr Mahathir’s alleged involvement, was named as such.

But Dr Mahathir pleaded ignorance, Malaysiakini wrote.

“My name has been used for many things. They called me racist, ultra, I’m never bothered. Its part of political life,” he was quoted as saying.

According to a transcript of Dr Mahathir’s testimony on Malaysiakini, the influential politician admitted to the panel hearing that he was aware of the influx of immigrants into Sabah between the years 1972 and 1984.

But the straight-talking Dr Mahathir said this was a “common thing” even before the northern Borneo state joined Malaysia.

“Because they don’t recognise the borders of Sabah and Philippines,” he reportedly said of the foreigners. “So people used to come and go as they pleased. It was nothing new back then.”

Asked about the government’s policy on the influx, Dr Mahathir replied that the immigrants who stayed long enough and qualified for Malaysian ICs would be given one.

Dr Mahathir was called to the RCI stand at the Kota Kinabalu High Court today as the 209^th witness in the probe to investigate claims that illegal aliens were awarded citizenships in exchange for their votes.

The bid, under “Projek IC” or “Projek M”, is also said to be responsible for the abnormal spike in Sabah’s population. At present, nearly 30 per cent of the state’s massive 3.12 million-strong populace are foreigners.

Dr Mahathir, who ruled as prime minister from 1981 to 2003, has been repeatedly named as the man who spurred the initiative.

His denial of any involvement in the project today is not his first.

Earlier this year in February, Dr Mahathir appeared to absolve himself of all responsibility over the alleged illegal distribution of citizenships to foreigners in Sabah.

Instead, he insisted that the pre-requisite for such an award is for the individual to reside in Malaysia for a certain duration.

“I agree that we can give citizenships to people who have lived here a certain length of time and who qualifies to become citizens,” he was reported saying at a press conference.

But the former prime minister also admitted that during his reign, he could not have controlled entirely what was being implemented on the ground.

“What happened on the ground, I can’t be responsible. But the order is given for them to give citizenships to those who qualify,” he said.