Upko (Momogun Kadazandusun Murut United Organisation) Youth has called on the federal government to investigate the “extraordinary growth” of the Sabah population by 500 per cent.
Its leader, Arthur Sen, said according to the 1970 census, Sabah’s total population was only 636,431 but had risen to 3,313,000 in 2005.
“This extraordinary growth causes concern among the local population who feel their security is threathened by the influx of ‘instant citizens’ and immigrants.
“The local people are also worried that one day, the immigrant groups will surpass the state’s local population,” he said in a statement issued here today.
Therefore, he said, Upko Youth appealed to Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein to investigate the extraordinary increase in population, and whether there was a link to ‘back-door’ issuance of identity cards as rumoured earlier.
Sen said the movement also supported the call by the party’s top leadership, including deputy president Datuk Wilfred Bumburing, who wanted the federal government to set up a royal commission to investigate the matter.
— Bernama