Pakatan moves to help Sabahans in dire straits in Kuala Lumpur

Pakatan Rakyat will set up a committee to help Sabahans, especially the youth, who are in a 'beggared' condition in the Klang Valley and the peninsular.

The party's Kota Kinabalu DAP chief and MP Dr Hiew King Cheu said today he will be organising a gathering for Sabahans on July 4 at the Petaling Jaya community library.

National Pakatan leaders like the DAP's Lim Kit Siang, PKR's Anwar Ibrahim and Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim are expected to be present at the gathering.

"A special committee will be formed later to specially attend to matters pertaining to Sabahans in the peninsula," Hiew told a press conference in Parliament here.

"We see it as a responsibility of Pakatan because Sabahans are part of Malaysia. It is our duty to see that we help them," said Hiew.

The Kota Kinabalu MP claimed that the majority of Sabahans here are in a dire situation as many were unable to find jobs, while their girls have become prostitutes.

"There are reports that the Sabahans are ill-treated and some have even become beggars, foraging for food behind (fast-food chains) KFC and McDonald's.

"This raises oncerns in Sabah and very unfortunately, young girls have entered vice trade," said Hiew. "I have met quite a number of them and it is a terrible situation."

Exodus caused by lack of jobs in Sabah

Hiew alleged the mass migration of Sabahans to the peninsula was due to low employment opportunities in the eastern state.

"And the pay and position for these young people are usually taken up by foreigners who don't mind the 3D jobs," he said, referring to low-skilled jobs.

"These youngsters are compelled move to Semananjung because here, they are offered higher pay," he added.

Sabah has long suffered from border problems with the mass influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Philippines and Indonesia.

"It is cheaper to hire foreigners in Sabah. I cannot blame the employers. Some, even the illegal immigrants, are taking the jobs in plantations, in factories, etc," said Hiew.

He argued that the onus is on the Sabah-Barisan Nasional government to provide jobs for them. The migration of youth to the peninsula reflected their failure to deliver.

"The state government has promised to create thousands of jobs but it never happened. It is proof that they have failed to provide employment for young Sabahans," added Hiew.

The Sabah-based leader said most Sabahans working in the peninsula work in the service sector, coffee shops, factories and construction sites.

courtesy of FreeMalaysiaToday