HEAD of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin on Thursday said the perennial issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah must be handled in a collective manner and at the same time resolved wisely.
While the State and Federal Governments view the matter very seriously and have taken integrated action to settle it, he said everyone must render their cooperation to ensure the issue is resolved.
"The problem must be settled together and wisely but, everyone must be prepared to render firm co-operation to ensure the illegal immigrant issue would be overcome for the sake of our wellbeing and prosperity," he said at the opening of the State Assembly sitting.
The illegal immigrant issue has become a focal point among the State Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties and almost all have agreed to the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate it.
Juhar said the people in Sabah ought to be thankful for being bestowed with various natural wealth.
From the sea with its marine contents, long beaches and also attractive natural environment, Sabah is indeed blessed, he said.
Nevertheless, the most important is the State's wise leadership, who have managed Sabah well and excellently that has enabled the people to enjoy prosperity, peace and wealth continuously.
"This is accentuated with the strategic position of Sabah right in the middle of Asean, that has made it a focus among investors, tourists and those looking for employment," he said.
In this respect, he said the people must appreciate the existing progress, peace and prosperity they have enjoyed thus far.
Juhar reminded them that progress, peace and prosperity would not exist without the diligence, commitment and hard work from everyone.
He said elements such as being caring, willing to improve and be innovative that are inculcated in the Government's approaches are among factors that contribute to the continuous development.
Towards this end, he urged everyone to contribute towards the transformation of the country and State so that it would become progressive and achieve its high-income goal with the people enjoying high quality living.
On other developments, he said the Government builds libraries not only in urban but also in rural areas.
Last year, the State Library, he said, established a library service at Bandar Sri Indah housing in Tawau and also in Suria Sabah shopping mall this year.
"Apart from that, the mobile library service has also been provided for the people in rural areas," he said, adding that the Government is in the process of building a regional library with a green concept.
Juhar also said the Government is planning to build a Children's Library and mobile boat library.
"I hope the people will take advantage of these facilities and at the same time preserve them so that everyone could utilise them," he said. - Sabahkini
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has appealed for the revocation of all identity cards issued to foreigners and illegal immigrants illegally in Sabah.Its President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said recently the Deputy Home Minister had denied the possibility of Malaysian identity cards falling into the hands of foreigners.
ReplyDelete"But the existence of a syndicate issuing and giving the MyKad to foreigners in Sabah is known publicly. We have heard thousands had been issued and this will give a permanent negative impact to Malaysia socially, politically and economically," he said.
Pairin said several main issues must be resolved by the BN before the General Election that is on the illegal immigrants, fair power sharing, poverty, equal opportunity for local entrepreneurs in business especially oil and gas industry and that the people of Sabah are waiting for the oil royalty increase to be included in the Sabah BN Manifesto.
ReplyDelete"However, we realise that there are weaknesses. Before this the Identity Card was changed to the bunga raya and then to the card equipped with a micro chip but applicants need not bring along citizenship papers such as the birth certificate.
"This has raised suspicion that ICs obtained illegally would also be allowed to be changed to the new version," he said, adding that the people of Sabah wanted an assurance on the latest process to be used to legitimise cards which were obtained through dubious means, especially in Sabah.
ReplyDelete"We want additional or supporting documents such as the birth certificate to be attached when processing the change of ICs. This is to ensure only qualified people or locals could obtain the new identity card," he said.
Pairin said PBS hoped issues related to the illegals and ICs would be approached through one of the National Key Result Areas (NKRA), that is security.
ReplyDelete"The presence of foreigners in Sabah and perception that foreigners are in possession of identity cards have reached the level where it affects the confidence of the people in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government," he said.
He also hoped the Federal Government would take the proposal by PBS in good faith to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegals in Sabah.
Pairin said PBS also wanted the setting up of a Philippine Consulate in Sabah to be expedited to facilitate the processing of travel documents for Filipinos.
ReplyDeleteHe said PBS had been making the call for quite some time and that he understood that it had something to do with the claim on Sabah by the Philippines.
"I suggest that the matter be addressed seriously at the United Nations level," he said. Pairin who is also a Deputy Chief Minister, said it could not be denied that the people of Malaysia still need Barisan Nasional (BN).
PBS hoped the national BN Management Committee meeting would be held every three months and every two months at state level, while monthly at the parliamentary level.
ReplyDeleteHe said this was important to coordinate and resolve whatever issue arising together.
"Failure to meet will result in the people feeling no longer close and may allow propaganda of the opposition to seep in causing doubts and unity," he said.
In this respect, he said a BN office and secretariat not only be set up at the central and state levels but also at parliamentary level.
ReplyDeleteHe hoped the BN chairman at the parliamentary constituency level would be given the mandate, power and sufficient financial means to implement their responsibility.
Pairin also suggested that the political appointments in each constituency be determined by consensus among the BN components and not by the assemblyman.
He also called for the local community leader post, especially village head and JKKK chairman, to be elected as long as those contesting are BN members.
byk usaha dilakukan kerajaan dalam membanteras PATI seperti program 5P, kini ia hnya menanti penubuhan RCI.
ReplyDeleteItu sudah semestinya. Kerajaan akan menyelesaikan masalah PATI yang ada di Negeri ini. Kerajaan akan mencuba yang terbaik untuk memastika RCI ini dapat membantu menyelesaikan kes ini.
ReplyDeletekerajaan sentiasa mencari jalan untuk menyelesaikan masalah itu, pembangkang pula sentiasa mencari jalan untuk meremehkan usaha2 kerajaan sedangkan dipihak mereka juga tidak ada apa2 yang boleh mereka sumbangkan dalam menyelesaikan masalah rakyat..
ReplyDelete