KOTA KINABALU: Former deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan has denied a claim that the Sabah Temporary Pass was among the recommendations of a royal commission of inquiry into illegal immigrants in Sabah.
Pairin said what Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman contended was not true.
“I’ve just read back the RCI report to refresh my memory – it is not included as a recommendation there. It is definitely not there, this is just made up. The PSS is a sudden plan,” he told reporters in Penampang near here today.
Pairin had chaired the royal commission’s technical working committee tasked to study recommendations to solve the issue.
On Friday, Azis was quoted by a local daily as saying that the temporary pass (PSS), which is to be implemented next June, was among the recommendations of the royal commission.
Azis had said the current government was only continuing what was started by the previous administration.
He added he felt it was odd that Parti Bersatu Sabah (which Pairin had once led as president) had attacked them on the PSS when the party was part of the previous government.
“So when we took over the government, we were briefed on this matter and we have no problem in continuing just as the RCI suggested.
“This is not our fault because it was the recommendation of the previous government which was RCI’s recommendation – it was started by them,” Azis said, adding he will furnish minutes and data to show proof of this.
Several opposition parties besides PBS had slammed the plan to issue the PSS to foreign workers, saying similar documents such as the IMM13, Surat Burung-Burung and the Census certificate had failed to resolve the illegal immigrant problem in the state previously.
Pairin said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Yong Teck Lee had rejected Azis’ claim.
“Many have already stated their opinions that this PSS should not be implemented – it is confusing and scary. Political parties have also said their piece and they should be heard,” he said.
Pairin, who is Huguan Siou (paramount leader of the Kadazandusun Murut community) said what was scary about the PSS is that it could cause the further influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah.
“We already have laws that require those without documents to be sent back home.
“We’ve done that in the previous government although people are claiming it was not fast enough.
“The government today says it has a new formula, so we want to see a smarter approach towards a solution and not towards something that is worrying, one that could increase the number of illegal immigrants in Sabah,” Pairin said.
He said Malaysians, particularly in Sabah, have the right as a citizen to protect other citizens.
“It doesn’t matter what colour or background, as long as they are citizens we have to protect them and not siding towards non-citizens.
“This is our priority because the citizens are the ones who strengthen our sovereignty,” Pairin said.
Meanwhile, Parti Cinta Sabah president Wilfred Bumburing, in a statement, dismissed Azis’ statement as a mere afterthought after the state government realised the people’s strong opposition to the PSS.
“As a result of the widespread opposition from Sabahans, the state government is now scrambling to find a basis to rationalise the scheme,” he said.
“It is apparent that the government had not scrutinised the recommendation,” he said, challenging Azis to indicate where in the RCI report had stated the PSS was a recommendation. - FMT
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