KUALA LUMPUR : “STARSabah will initiate the holding of a Forum in Kota Kinabalu to seek public views and suggestions on the way forward to resolve the long outstanding issue of illegal immigrants particularly in Sabah” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, the President of STARSabah in a press statement released earlier today.
The Covid-19 pandemic had created an unprecedented opportunity in highlighting the presence of the millions of illegals and unlawful foreigners in Malaysia.
The illegal immigrants and undocumented foreigners in Malaysia had been receiving much media coverage and social media anger from netizens recently. The spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus amidst the restricted movements during the Movement Control Order (MCO), 2020 and its various phases had highlighted the problem of illegal immigrants and foreigners who have sneaked into the country,
The illegals issue was further fueled by reports from the Police authorities that they had successfully prevented illegal immigrants from being brought in by irresponsible parties in the east coast of Sabah. There were further reports of boats full of Rohingya people being thwart by the Maritime authorities from landing in Langkawi Island and north-western Peninsular.
The incidents created a public outcry and backlash against the foreigners in the Peninsular and of Sabahans against the illegal immigrants in Sabah.
Any sympathy for the foreigners particularly the Rohingyas, whether refugees or illegal immigrants, Indians and Bangladeshis were quickly eroded by reports of them being infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus and them infecting the locals.
The problem was worsened by reports of Rohingyas beating up the locals including the security forces that were sent to enforce the MCO in their areas. It was further compounded by their NGO leader demanding for citizenships for Rohingyas and equal treatment just like the local Malays.
These foreigners and illegals pose a huge threat, not just the Covid-19 infections and social problems, to genuine Malaysians. A long-term sustainable solution needs to be put in place.
The time has come for a concerted effort by all stakeholders and connected parties to sit down and work out a holistic long-term plan to deal with the illegal immigrants and undocumented persons in Malaysia.
As for the illegals in Sabah, STARSabah will initiate a Forum to be organized later in the year after the uncertainties of movement under the MCO are cleared up.
The objective of the Forum is to engage all stakeholders, interested parties and the public to seek views, suggestions and solutions to resolve once and for all, if possible, the illegal immigrants’ problem particularly in Sabah which has been covered up for decades.
In Sabah, the illegals’ problem is compounded by policies of the Sabah government which are seen to be pro-illegals and welcoming of foreigners even to the extent of setting aside an island to accommodate them. These policies of welcoming illegals are totally unacceptable as the Sabah government should be sending a non-negotiable message that foreigners entering Sabah illegally are not welcome.
In addition, there were numerous cases of fires in illegal immigrant colonies where belongings were save but ironically only ICs were lost in the fires. The incidents were followed by Federal departments quickly on hand with mobile units to process and hand out fresh ICs led by Warisan leaders.
The State government even suggested the implementation of the Sabah Temporary Pass or PSS for foreigners and illegal immigrants valid for 3 years and without limit in extensions. It was understandable for Warisan to build their voters’ base with such a move.
But it was unforgiveable for UPKO to tacitly endorse the issuance of the PSS and jeopardizing the legitimate interests of the natives which Upko warrants to be representing. It is not a wonder why they have lost the support of the local natives and were pushed to change their party name and membership eligibility from KDM to multi-racial probably targeting foreigners as potential members.
The backlash against the PSS was very evident in the recent Kimanis Parliamentary by-election where the Warisan candidate was soundly trounced by public resentment to the PSS.
After the election loss, the Warisan-led Sabah government and UPKO had no alternative but to eat their words and revoke the proposed issuance of the PSS. They have done nothing to resolve the illegals issue in Sabah despite being in government for more than 2 years.
The illegal immigrants and undocumented foreigners, whether they be in the Peninsular or in Sabah, now pose a bigger threat to the sovereignty and security of all Malaysians.
Dr. Jeffrey added, “Now that STARSabah is in the Federal government, it is appropriate that we initiate the holding of the FORUM to find the way forward for a holistic all-encompassing solution for the illegal immigrants issue in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah.-pr/BNN
