‘Sabah’s water-villages a security threat’

A University Malaysia Sabah study between 2002 and 2005 noted that water villages were “dangerous” as they “have become nests for illegal activities.”

KOTA KINABALU:  Water villages in Sabah, especially in the east coast region, were seen as high risk areas for security threats, the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah was told today.

University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer of social sciences Wan Shabaruddin Wan Hassan said a study done from 2002 till 2005 on impacts on security due to the presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah found those immigrants, especially from southern Philippines, preferred to settle at water villages as was the norm in their native country.

“In our observation, water villages are seen as dangerous as these villages have become nests for illegal activities, including arms smuggling which police say was not unusual.

“During our visit to a water village in Lahad Datu, we also came across circulation of counterfeit money in Malaysian Ringgit which was widely used there,” he said.

Wan Shabaruddin, who teaches foreign policies, said petty crimes such as thievery was common at the water villages as in the southern Philippines, it was believed anything one owned also belonged to another.

He suggested that the government monitor and register residents at all water villages rather than tearing the villages down as Malaysian citizens also resided there.

Tuaran Member of Parliament Wilfred Madius Tangau told the inquiry that there was a need to review the issuance of identity cards (IC) in Sabah.

Madius, who is also United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) secretary-general, suggested the recalling of ICs in Sabah and the reissue of proper identifications to those with birth certificates who were genuine Malaysian citizens.

The inquiry, which began in January this year, is led by former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Steve Shim Lip Kiong. Also on the panel are former UMS vice chancellor  Dr Kamaruzzaman Ampon, former Kuala Lumpur police chief Henry Chin Poy Wu, former Sabah state secretary KY Mustapha and former deputy chief minister Herman J Luping, who is also former state attorney-general.

Bernama