Don’t listen to opposition on issue of illegals stealing jobs, Wan Junaidi tells Sabahans

Fears over illegal immigrants being given citizenship and depriving Sabahans of opportunities are groundless, a Cabinet member said today.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar hit out at the opposition for playing up an issue that "no one else (was) talking about", the Borneo Post reported.

Wan Junaidi told Lanang PKR chief George Chen not to "mislead the people and create misconception".

Chen had recently highlighted concerns about the registration of illegal immigrants, which has sparked fears about competition for jobs as well as the over-strained education and healthcare systems.

There is also persistent disquiet about the social problems brought about by presence of newcomers in the state.

Wan Junaidi downplayed the concerns, stating that the ministry’s focus was now instead on registering "stateless" Malaysian children and young adults without papers.

These juveniles were unable to get MyKad and, as a result, access to schooling and other amenities that Malaysians are entitled to.