Loophole has caused immigration breaches, claims MP

KOTA KINABALU: Penampang MP Darell Leiking yesterday criticised the state government for its alleged nonchalant attitude over the now famous ‘Menumbok-Jesselton Point Loophole' that had caused several incidences of immigration breaches over the years resulting in non-Sabahans being able to travel in and out of Sabah without any proper check.

“I have actually, back in 2013, demanded the Home Ministry at Dewan Rakyat to explain to us why there was no immigration checkpoint at Menumbok and Jesselton Point Jetty to ensure that only those with valid travel documents or passport would be allowed to land and go through the guard post or customs checks,” said the Parti Darell, who is also Warisan Sabah deputy president.

According to Darell, Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi in his reply confirmed that there was no necessity for immigration inspection as the Home Minister's directive gazetted on 26 July 1984 and the Malaysian Immigration Circular dated 27 July 1984 provided for automatic exemption to anyone (including foreigners) from having to produce his/ her valid travel documents or passport when entering Sabah from Labuan,” he said.

Darell said he had subsequently highlighted the issue in the media back in March 2015 when the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum had questioned the large numbers of Pakistani nationals in the state.

He claimed to have specifically pointed out that this loophole had caused Sabah problems and would continue to do so unless the state government acted immediately to rectify the matter.

“Now the Immigration Department believes that the seven suspected militants that were recently nabbed by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division while in the midst of planning to cause terror attacks during the SEA Games closing ceremony and National Day celebration parade have slipped into Kuala Lumpur by using this very same loophole, and its state director, Musa Sulaiman said there were previously no immigration checks at the island,” he added.