Warisan Youth chief Terence Au has reminded his counterparts from Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) that the people are more politically mature in viewing issues of undocumented migrants in the state.
Au said if SAPP Youth is truly serious about protecting Sabah from the issue of undocumented migrants, they should start by addressing the root causes—and more importantly, reviewing Gabungan Rakyat Sabah's track record as the state government coalition.
"In 2020, the number of migrants in Sabah was recorded at 810,410. By 2024, this number surged to 1,043,400—an increase of 232,900 in just four years.
"This sharp rise happened while SAPP was part of the GRS government, which has ruled since 2020," said Au in a statement.
Au said if Sabah truly faced a demographic threat, SAPP must take responsibility for what happened under its own administration.
"What concrete actions has your party taken to curb the influx of undocumented migrants? Where are the enforcement results? Where is the political will?" questioned Au.
‘Not a shortcut’
SAPP had become a Perikatan Nasional member and GRS component party after the 2020 state election, but withdrew from PN last year over the coalition's insistence to contest in the upcoming state polls.
Instead of addressing the rising number of migrants, Au said SAPP Youth seems more comfortable attacking a "marginal note dated 2019" which had been publicly clarified by the National Registration Department.
"That note, which stated 'happy to support approval', was not an approval, not a directive, and not a shortcut.
"It was merely a recommendation or support letter, and NRD has confirmed that no political note can override the legal process.
"Every application still has to go through strict screening, background checks, and legal compliance," he said in reference to Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA) Youth chief Steve Johnny Mositun's claims against Warisan president Shafie Apdal.
Mositun's claims came after a purported note from Shafie in support of an application for a temporary resident identity card (MyKas), in a letter dated April 26, 2019, was circulated online.
No approval guaranteed
Previously, the NRD clarified that letters of support from political leaders, government agencies and NGOs can be considered but it does not guarantee the approval of an application.
Commenting further, Au also reminded SAPP that the party's president Yong Teck Lee, was disqualified as an MP in the 1999 Likas case due to proven phantom voters.
"That’s not political spin—it’s a judicial fact.
"If Warisan’s marginal note is considered a 'political signal', then what should we call the large-scale issuance of ICs under Project IC, which took place under the political culture your party once supported?" he said.
"The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) has named individuals involved.
"If you genuinely want to defend Sabah’s identity, then accountability must begin with the historical damage done to this state—not through selectively chosen issues used for cheap political gain," stressed Au.
Previously, Warisan supreme council member Chen Ket Chuin said the party had submitted letters of demand against those who accused Shafie of supporting citizenship applications from migrants. - Mkini
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