Despite the clamour for a royal commission to examine the situation of illegals in Sabah, the proposal could backfire and end up stifling criticism of government, without accomplishing anything.

This is especially likely if the commission does not include persons from the opposition and NGOs as well, which it should to give the inquiry an aura of neutrality and transparency.

The cushioning effect comes when the sobering realities of what can and cannot be done are fully explored and shared in a bipartisan or politically neutral working group.