Land and Survey Department failure to explain

Keningau: Sabah North Borneo Dusun Minamasok Association (Minamasok) on Wednesday expressed its disappointment over the Land and Survey Department's failure to explain to the people on the essence of Native Customary Rights (NCR) since it was formulated in 1889.

Its President, Dimie Guntop, 68, said after 41 years and five amendments, only then the department concerned explained the actual content of the NCR.

He said many people are disappointed with it because it is confusing them.

"What has the Land and Survey Department been doing for so long," he said when reacting to the statement by the department's Director, Datuk Osman Jamal.

Jamal was quoted as saying that claims for NCR land after the Land Ordinance 1930 do not come under NCR.

To this, Guntop said there are two channels to judge two things that have relation to one another.

He said Jamal should have explained the difference between State Land and Government Land Reserve.

Referring to permanent individual ownership of government land reserve, he said this has been rampantly occurring in Sabah for the past 41 years.

It is similar with state land where in the end it would side with the department in certain cases such as Forest Management Unit (FMU) concession ownership.

Guntop said even though Minamasok agrees with the terms of Native Rights that was explained by Jamal through Section 5, 6(1) and 88 of the Sabah Land Ordinance (SLO), the explanation came too late and thus the department must be held responsible for the people's wrong interpretation of the government.

"Many have become the victims, in fact many have passed away without knowing the actual interpretation of the two laws (SLO and NCR)," he said.

He said Minamasok also disputed the seven methods of interpretation regarding NCR land, describing it as too loose.

And because of that, many natives in the interior such as in Keningau, Nabawan, Pensiangan, Tenom and Kinabatangan have been denied of their native rights without any form of defence from the existing law under the Land and Survey Department.

Citing an example, he said if an individual carries out cultivation or settles in a state land for a period of three years, the individual could apply for the land from the department to classify it as NCR land.

To this, he asked if such method is fair.

"What about the plight of people who have been residing in an area since 1889?" he asked.

Guntop said thousands of acres of land that belonged to the natives throughout Sabah including those that have been classified as NCR land have been denied by the Land and Survey Department.

On this, he urged the government to study the issue again and to place the natives as priority.

Minamasok, he said, would not keep silent over the matter or let the rights of the natives be belittled.

Kiulu Paintball + White Water Rafting (Grade I - II)

Section: Discover Sabah, Borneo | Category: Combo Tour Packages

Kiulu Paintball + Kiulu White Water Rafting (Grade I - II) Kiulu river is a challenge to all and gives glimpses of the thrills and excitement to come. Briefing session will be conducted by the river guide before the rafting commences. The ultimate challenge will speak for itself as one shoots through and experiences the nerve tingling excitement which crescendos rapid after rapid. After rafting, enjoy a sumptuous barbecue lunch by the river. Itinerary 0800 hrs Depart from your hotel in Kota Kinabalu and proceed to kiulu river located at Tamparuli area. (journey takes 1 ½ - 2 hours drive). Signing of Liability Release form for the White Water Rafting to be done in the bus. 1000 hrs Arrive at Kg Pukak, You may change to Paintball attire and  then you will proceed to the Paintball Centre.  Safety equipment like Chest Protector and  Paintball google to be wear and check by Marshall.  The disclaimer form for the Paintball need to be sign at the centre and then Safety briefing will be given. The 3 games may take 15-20 minutes After the Paintball challenge, you may change to rafting attire or you may use the same attire for rafting. 1040hrs Proceed to the starting point. Safety briefing will be given by Riverbug professional river guide  1055hrs Rafting commences. Excursion takes about 2 hours to the ending point.  1230hrs Arrive ending point. Freshen-up and ready for BBQ lunch.  1330hrs  Depart for hotel.-End of service Includes / Excludes Includes Return transfer, Paintball equipment, Rafting equipment, English speaking guide, BBQ Lunch, Insurance. Remarks Things to bring: - Payment / Service Voucher. - Extra pocket money. - Insect repellent. - Sun-block lotion. - Change of clothes. - Towel. - Cap / Hat. Recommended to Wear: - Sandal with strap / Sport shoe. - Shorts and T-shirt. - Swimwear. Notes: 1. Participants must be physically fit. 2. Liability Release Form MUST be signed and understood by the participant before the tour commences. 3. Age limit for child is 12 years old and above only. 4. Please let us know if you have dietary request, e.g. vegetarian.

Bid to nullify the oil royalty deal

Bid to nullify the oil royalty deal Published on: Wednesday, September 26, 2012  Email to a friend      Printer Friendly Kota Kinabalu: Six Sabahan businessmen filed a suit at the High Court here, Tuesday, seeking to declare the Petroleum Agreement between the Sabah State Government and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) signed on June 14, 1976 ultra vires as well as null and void. Lahirul Latigu (first plaintiff), Mohd Julpikar Ab Mijan (second plaintiff), Zainal Ajamain (third plaintiff), Joseph Wilfred (fourth plaintiff), Duli @ Dullie Mari @ Marie (fifth plaintiff) and Michael Peter Govind @ Mike Govind (sixth plaintiff) named Petroliam Nasional Berhad as the first defendant and the Sabah State Government as the second defendant. The businessmen were also seeking a declaration that the Petroleum Development Act, in so far as it applies to the agreement dated June 14, 1976 between the first defendant and the second defendant is ultra vires null and void. They are claiming for damages to be assessed, cost plus statutory interest and other relief deemed fit by the High Court. In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs said the agreement was null and void and ultra vires to Article 74 of the Federal Constitution and the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. "Furthermore the said agreement on 14th day of June 1976 is unenforceable by reason of the Petroleum Act 1974 being in contravention of Article 13 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia which states that no law shall provide for compulsory acquisition or the use of property without compensation," they said. Thirdly, they said the agreement on June 14 June 1976 was executed by the executive arm of the State Government of Sabah without approval and consent of the State Legislative Assembly and is therefore ultra vires null and void. "Fourthly, the said agreement dated the 14th day of June 1976 is merely a vesting deed and to date there is no agreement or contract between Petronas and the Sabah State Government in regard to the sharing and exploitation of the onshore and offshore resources of petroleum belonging to the state of Sabah. In consequence thereof, the said agreement is ultra vires null and void. Fifthly, the plaintiffs said the vesting of petroleum resources of Sabah under the said agreement dated 14th day of June 1976 by the Sabah State Government into the hands Petronas by which is neither the executive or legislative part of the Federal Government of Malaysia but merely a company incorporated under the Company's Act 1965 is ultra vires null and void. The plaintiffs also said Pakatan Rakyat's pledge on oil justice that it would raise to 20 per cent the oil royalty for Sabah and Sarawak once it formed the Federal Government as stated in its recent Kuching Declaration if brought into effect would be unlawful ultra vires null and void against Article 74 of the Federal Constitution and the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. Under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, the Federal have powers except over permits and licenses under State rights, the Federal Government has rights over development of mineral resources, mines, mining, minerals and mineral ores, oils and oil-fields, petroleum products, safety in mines and oilfields. The Ninth Schedule also stated the following matters to fall in State hands: "Land: Schedule 9 List II, Para 2(a). Under the interpretation Acts, 1948 and 1967, Section 3, land includes "the surface of the earthÉall substances thereinÉall vegetation and other natural productsÉwhether on or below the surfaceÉand land covered by water". "The territorial waters of Kelantan will come within the definition of "land covered by water". Territorial waters are defined by section 4(2) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance No 7, 1969." "In addition to the income from land, one notes that in Article 110(3a) there is provision for discretionary payment on such terms and conditions as maybe prescribed by or under federal law of the export duty on "mineral oils" produced in the state. Petroleum comes within the meaning of "mineral oils" under Section 10 of the Petroleum Development Act." In addition to the right of the states, Sabah and Sarawak enjoy some special sources of revenue, which is stated under Schedule 10, Part IV, Paragraph One that assigned import duty and excise duty on petroleum products to Sabah and Sarawak as well as Schedule 10, Part V, Paragraph Three that assigned royalty and export duty on "mineral oils" totalling 10 per cent to Sabah and Sarawak. "Petroleum", as defined in the Petroleum Development Act, falls within the meaning of "mineral oils" and, therefore, 10 per cent combined royalty and export duty on it constitutes part of the guaranteed revenue for Sabah and Sarawak, the plaintiffs said. "Furthermore the said Declaration in so far as petrol justice is concerned is unenforceable by reason of being in contravention of Article 13 (2) of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia which states that no law shall provide for compulsory acquisition or the use of property without compensation. "The said Declaration fails to recognise that the State of Sabah is entitled to one hundred per cent of the proceeds and income from the extraction of petroleum offshore and onshore of Sabah waters," they said. The plaintiffs also referred to news reports by local politicians and national leaders that Sabah has the potential of becoming the biggest oil and gas producer not only in Malaysia but in the South East Asia region with potential of producing one million barrels a day. "The estimated reserves from the present Sabah oilfields is 1.4 billion barrels of oil and 7.7 trillion scf of gas." Sabah politicians, they said had also been calling for a relook of the 1976 Petroleum Agreement. The plaintiffs also referred to a media report in November 2011, which reported Petronas discovering substantial oil reserves offshore of Sabah, which is at Wakid-1 well, about 100km northwest of the State Capital. Meanwhile, Zainal, who was the spokeperson of the plaintiffs, when met by reporters after filing the suit through counsel Marcel Jude, said: "It is illegal for the Federal government to take our oil, all 100 per cent of it belongs to the people of Sabah, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 is very clear on this." He said they are contending that the 1976 agreement is in conflict with the Federal Constitution which for the last 36 years successive State government failed to address.

Bid to nullify the oil royalty deal

Bid to nullify the oil royalty deal Published on: Wednesday, September 26, 2012  Email to a friend      Printer Friendly Kota Kinabalu: Six Sabahan businessmen filed a suit at the High Court here, Tuesday, seeking to declare the Petroleum Agreement between the Sabah State Government and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) signed on June 14, 1976 ultra vires as well as null and void. Lahirul Latigu (first plaintiff), Mohd Julpikar Ab Mijan (second plaintiff), Zainal Ajamain (third plaintiff), Joseph Wilfred (fourth plaintiff), Duli @ Dullie Mari @ Marie (fifth plaintiff) and Michael Peter Govind @ Mike Govind (sixth plaintiff) named Petroliam Nasional Berhad as the first defendant and the Sabah State Government as the second defendant. The businessmen were also seeking a declaration that the Petroleum Development Act, in so far as it applies to the agreement dated June 14, 1976 between the first defendant and the second defendant is ultra vires null and void. They are claiming for damages to be assessed, cost plus statutory interest and other relief deemed fit by the High Court. In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs said the agreement was null and void and ultra vires to Article 74 of the Federal Constitution and the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. "Furthermore the said agreement on 14th day of June 1976 is unenforceable by reason of the Petroleum Act 1974 being in contravention of Article 13 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia which states that no law shall provide for compulsory acquisition or the use of property without compensation," they said. Thirdly, they said the agreement on June 14 June 1976 was executed by the executive arm of the State Government of Sabah without approval and consent of the State Legislative Assembly and is therefore ultra vires null and void. "Fourthly, the said agreement dated the 14th day of June 1976 is merely a vesting deed and to date there is no agreement or contract between Petronas and the Sabah State Government in regard to the sharing and exploitation of the onshore and offshore resources of petroleum belonging to the state of Sabah. In consequence thereof, the said agreement is ultra vires null and void. Fifthly, the plaintiffs said the vesting of petroleum resources of Sabah under the said agreement dated 14th day of June 1976 by the Sabah State Government into the hands Petronas by which is neither the executive or legislative part of the Federal Government of Malaysia but merely a company incorporated under the Company's Act 1965 is ultra vires null and void. The plaintiffs also said Pakatan Rakyat's pledge on oil justice that it would raise to 20 per cent the oil royalty for Sabah and Sarawak once it formed the Federal Government as stated in its recent Kuching Declaration if brought into effect would be unlawful ultra vires null and void against Article 74 of the Federal Constitution and the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. Under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, the Federal have powers except over permits and licenses under State rights, the Federal Government has rights over development of mineral resources, mines, mining, minerals and mineral ores, oils and oil-fields, petroleum products, safety in mines and oilfields. The Ninth Schedule also stated the following matters to fall in State hands: "Land: Schedule 9 List II, Para 2(a). Under the interpretation Acts, 1948 and 1967, Section 3, land includes "the surface of the earthÉall substances thereinÉall vegetation and other natural productsÉwhether on or below the surfaceÉand land covered by water". "The territorial waters of Kelantan will come within the definition of "land covered by water". Territorial waters are defined by section 4(2) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance No 7, 1969." "In addition to the income from land, one notes that in Article 110(3a) there is provision for discretionary payment on such terms and conditions as maybe prescribed by or under federal law of the export duty on "mineral oils" produced in the state. Petroleum comes within the meaning of "mineral oils" under Section 10 of the Petroleum Development Act." In addition to the right of the states, Sabah and Sarawak enjoy some special sources of revenue, which is stated under Schedule 10, Part IV, Paragraph One that assigned import duty and excise duty on petroleum products to Sabah and Sarawak as well as Schedule 10, Part V, Paragraph Three that assigned royalty and export duty on "mineral oils" totalling 10 per cent to Sabah and Sarawak. "Petroleum", as defined in the Petroleum Development Act, falls within the meaning of "mineral oils" and, therefore, 10 per cent combined royalty and export duty on it constitutes part of the guaranteed revenue for Sabah and Sarawak, the plaintiffs said. "Furthermore the said Declaration in so far as petrol justice is concerned is unenforceable by reason of being in contravention of Article 13 (2) of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia which states that no law shall provide for compulsory acquisition or the use of property without compensation. "The said Declaration fails to recognise that the State of Sabah is entitled to one hundred per cent of the proceeds and income from the extraction of petroleum offshore and onshore of Sabah waters," they said. The plaintiffs also referred to news reports by local politicians and national leaders that Sabah has the potential of becoming the biggest oil and gas producer not only in Malaysia but in the South East Asia region with potential of producing one million barrels a day. "The estimated reserves from the present Sabah oilfields is 1.4 billion barrels of oil and 7.7 trillion scf of gas." Sabah politicians, they said had also been calling for a relook of the 1976 Petroleum Agreement. The plaintiffs also referred to a media report in November 2011, which reported Petronas discovering substantial oil reserves offshore of Sabah, which is at Wakid-1 well, about 100km northwest of the State Capital. Meanwhile, Zainal, who was the spokeperson of the plaintiffs, when met by reporters after filing the suit through counsel Marcel Jude, said: "It is illegal for the Federal government to take our oil, all 100 per cent of it belongs to the people of Sabah, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 is very clear on this." He said they are contending that the 1976 agreement is in conflict with the Federal Constitution which for the last 36 years successive State government failed to address.

family members of slain youth call for calm

Tension subsides in Lawas after family members of slain youth call for calm over his murder

LAWAS: Family members of the 19-year-old Lun Bawang youth, Edwin Singa, from Long Lopeng who was killed in a fight appealed for calm and urged people here not let his death spark a communal unrest.

An uncle of the deceased appealed to the crowd who converged here for the last two days to let the authorities handle the case.

A group of Edwin’s friends, relatives and people from Long Lopeng, Sipitang and Ba Kelalan converged here over the last two days to demand justice for him.

Their presence raised tension here as the local Malay community felt threatened and reacted by gathering their own people and friends and relatives from nearby towns and villages to confront the Lun Bawang crowd.

The stand-off was tense and the police here had to rope in personnel from the General Operation Force from Limbang to help control the situation.

However, intervention from elected representatives, community and religious leaders and the assurance from the police chief here DSP Fauzilan Abdul Aziz that the murder would be investigated thoroughly and fairly calmed the situation.

He confirmed that 11 suspects have been already been arrested, including six on the night of incident when Edwin was stabbed to death with a screw-driver by a group of youths on motorcycles. Five were arrested on the following day, followed by another two on Monday noon.

“All the suspects are in police custody and efforts are made to collect evidence to complete investigations for prosecution of those who are guilty,” he said.

He also called for any eye witness to step forward to facilitate the investigation.

Tension here subsided further when a procession of 500 people declaring that the killing was purely criminal in nature and was not racially motivated went to police station here yesterday morning to hand over a memorandum asking the police to take stern action against criminal elements in the district.

Meanwhile, sources told the Borneo Post yesterday that the body of the deceased would be sent to Miri for postmortem to ascertain the actual cause of death.

Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, who is in parliament, urged community leaders to help maintain security here and stop the people from taking the law in their own hands.

The MP also called on the police to step up patrol in hotspots where youths gathered in town or residential areas as a deterrent against crimes in the district.

Meanwhile, Ba kelalan state assemblyman Baru Bian, who is abroad issued a statement calling for calm and urging the people to let the police handle situation.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/26/appeal-for-peace-update/#ixzz27XLxJBTN

anti-Islam film

KUALA LUMPUR: In condeming the anti-Islam film, ‘Innocence of Muslims’, and a French magazine publication of caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad, the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) has urged moderates worldwide to unite against sheer fabrication and mischaracterisation of any faith or religion.

GMMF chief executive officer Khalek Awang said, although Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine, might not have broken French law in publishing the caricatures, the foundation liked to protest over the lack of ethical and moral judgement in deliberately creating further provocation, at a time of great calamity and intrusion.

“No quarter should defend it, let alone in the context of freedom of speech since this right is not absolute.

“In a connected and crowded world, no one should make incendiary comments that can trigger the kind of violence that we have witnessed over the last two weeks,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

He said Muslims should have fortitude in dealing with such provocation by not resorting to violence as a means of showing dissatisfaction. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/24/foundation-condemns-anti-islam-film-caricatures/#ixzz27LfUgoSg

protect the rights of genuine Sabahans

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said he approved more than 40,000 Native Customary Rights (NCR) land applications during his two-year tenure as the Chief Minister, which ended the wait of over 30 years for some applicants.

During that period, he said, he had also instructed the Land and Survey Department to expedite the extension of land lease for the interest of the people in Sabah.

Should SAPP govern, the party would allow residents to extend their current lease till 999 years, the first in the country, adding that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government has yet to resolve the extension of land lease for the industrial area in Kolombong, he said in a talk organized by SAPP, which drew more than 400 people here on Friday.

Yong said NCR land was no longer issued after his tenure, and he promised to improve efficiency in approving land-related affairs as well as bring beneficial policies to the people.

He said he had been involved in solving the issue of illegal immigrants in the State, and stood by the party’s plan to issue Sabah identity cards if the party governed.

The purpose of Sabah IC was to protect the rights of genuine Sabahans, and to differentiate Sabahans from dubious document holders, he explained.

Under the approval of Sabah and Malaysia constitution, SAPP will set up a state department to issue Sabah IC to eligible Malaysian citizens in Sabah.

He said Sabah IC holders would enjoy rights to own lands in the State, as well as incentives given by the State Government or other agencies such as business licence, State Government scholarship and welfare assistance.

Meanwhile, SAPP deputy president cum chairman of the Likas Constituency Liaison Committee Datuk Liew Teck Chan said Sabah has lost its autonomy and basic rights under the BN Government.

“We have lost our rights as every decision on policy had to go through the Federal Government,” he pointed out.

He said even if Pakatan Rakyat took over Putrajaya, Sabah must be governed by a local political party to ensure autonomy.

This is because as the only local opposition party in Sabah, SAPP better understands the issues faced by the locals, he said.

“If the people in Sabah are willing to support SAPP to govern the State in the next general election, our party vows to serve the people.

“What we need is an opportunity, to realise a better future for Sabah.”

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/09/23/40000-ncr-land-applications-approved-under-me-as-cm-yong/#ixzz27LcVD3o5

Another project mat?

Published on: Tuesday, September 18, 2012  Email to a friend      Printer Friendly Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) KK Division wondered whether the Federal Government had discussed with the founding fathers from Sabah, the possibility of granting citizenship to foreigners in the  future, which had invariably led to a migrant population explosion in the State. Its Chief, Christina Liew said, she posed this question on the occasion of Malaysia Day vis-a-vis Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent justification for the increase, pointing out that they qualified to be citizens because they have  been staying in Malaysia for "decades" and can speak Bahasa Malaysia. "In their discussions with the founding fathers, was this matter raised by the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) or Cobbold Commission as one of the conditions to form Malaysia? "If you study the IGC Report, nothing was mentioned about any legal provision for the Federal Government to grant citizenship in the event of any influx of migrants to Sabah. "Therefore, who gave Dr Mahathir the mandate to accept these foreigners as citizens merely on the basis of length  of stay and mastering of the national language? That being the case, it can be reckoned that the founding fathers were not fully aware of what lay in store for Sabah when agreeing to join then Malaya, Singapore and Sarawak in  forming the Federation of Malaysia. "Perhaps if they had been told about the foreseeable 'invasion' of foreigners who would be given citizenship status, they might not have agreed to join the other states to form Malaysia," she said in a statement, here. As a consequence of becoming a part of Malaysia, Liew said the present generation of Malaysians in Sabah is now suffering from the overwhelming presence of foreigners on our shores. She further contended that it is public knowledge that many foreign migrants were given blue identity cards (ICs)  "overnight" after entering Sabah through the back door. "They didn't have to stay for 'decades' as claimed by Dr Mahathir. So what is he talking about?" she asked. Sabah saw a huge increase in population during Dr Mahathir's tenure as premier from 1981 to 2003. According to replies provided in Parliament last year, Sabah's populace numbered 651,304 in 1970 and grew to 929,299 a decade later (1980). But in the two decades following 1980, the State's population rose significantly by a staggering 1.5 million people, reaching 2,468,246 by 2000. Based on media reports, as of 2010, this number has swelled further to 3.12 million, with foreigners making  up a sizeable 27 per cent or 889,799 of the total population.

Legalising illegals never part of the deal: PKR Published on: Tuesday, September 18, 2012  Email to a friend      Printer Friendly Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) KK Division wondered whether the Federal Government had discussed with the founding fathers from Sabah, the possibility of granting citizenship to foreigners in the future, which had invariably led to a migrant population explosion in the State. Its Chief, Christina Liew said, she posed this question on the occasion of Malaysia Day vis-a-vis Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent justification for the increase, pointing out that they qualified to be citizens because they have been staying in Malaysia for "decades" and can speak Bahasa Malaysia. "In their discussions with the founding fathers, was this matter raised by the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) or Cobbold Commission as one of the conditions to form Malaysia? "If you study the IGC Report, nothing was mentioned about any legal provision for the Federal Government to grant citizenship in the event of any influx of migrants to Sabah. "Therefore, who gave Dr Mahathir the mandate to accept these foreigners as citizens merely on the basis of length of stay and mastering of the national language? That being the case, it can be reckoned that the founding fathers were not fully aware of what lay in store for Sabah when agreeing to join then Malaya, Singapore and Sarawak in forming the Federation of Malaysia. "Perhaps if they had been told about the foreseeable 'invasion' of foreigners who would be given citizenship status, they might not have agreed to join the other states to form Malaysia," she said in a statement, here. As a consequence of becoming a part of Malaysia, Liew said the present generation of Malaysians in Sabah is now suffering from the overwhelming presence of foreigners on our shores. She further contended that it is public knowledge that many foreign migrants were given blue identity cards (ICs) "overnight" after entering Sabah through the back door. "They didn't have to stay for 'decades' as claimed by Dr Mahathir. So what is he talking about?" she asked. Sabah saw a huge increase in population during Dr Mahathir's tenure as premier from 1981 to 2003. According to replies provided in Parliament last year, Sabah's populace numbered 651,304 in 1970 and grew to 929,299 a decade later (1980). But in the two decades following 1980, the State's population rose significantly by a staggering 1.5 million people, reaching 2,468,246 by 2000. Based on media reports, as of 2010, this number has swelled further to 3.12 million, with foreigners making up a sizeable 27 per cent or 889,799 of the total population.