No attention given to Sabah before Najib, says Pairin
KOTA KINABALU: Foreigners intending to visit Sabah should do it the “Asian way”, that is informing their host they are coming and knocking on the front door.
“They shouldn't come from the back door but from the front door,” said Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, in reference to illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries.
He added that if they came through the front door, with their documents in order, they can avoid problems with the law enforcement authorities.
Speaking to reporters after receiving an official visit by Indonesian Consul General to Kota Kinabalu, Akhmad DH Irfan, at his office yesterday, Pairin said Sabah has been working together with the Indonesian Consulate here to resolve issues relating to illegal immigrants from the country.
“They are aware of the issue and have come up with a procedure or programme to provide documents for their citizens,” said Pairin.
He said that with the procedure or programme, the Indonesian Consulate has begun to collect details concerning the number of their citizens who are in Sabah, presently.
On the visit, Pairin said that Akhmad would be leaving Sabah to serve in his country soon.
Akhmad would be leaving Kota Kinabalu on one of the direct flights to Jakarta which would be carried out three times a week by Merpati Air.
“This will lure tourists, investors especially, in the development of Asian countries, particularly in the context of Sabah and Indonesia,” he said.
Pairin said Akhmad spoke about economic spin-off from the Pan Borneo highway which will include Tawau, in view of Kalimantan Timur's development in the oil palm plantation.
He said there was a proposal to create road networks connecting the rural areas in Tawau.
However, that road project would be considered after the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway.
Pairin also commented on the Royal Commission Inquiry (RCI) on the presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah.
“I have spoken before that we have prepared the report containing the recommendations brought up by political bodies, non-governmental organisations and others.
“All the recommendations are written in the report. The recommendations include the re-issuance of identification cards for Sabahans to filter out non-Malaysians bearing the document,” said Pairin, adding that the report has already been submitted for consideration.
He also reminded that the presence of illegal immigrants was not only felt in Sabah but was now affecting the entire country.
“Prior to the present Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), no attention was given to Sabah.
“No one cared, especially Mahathir (former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed). He (Najib) gave a sympathetic ear to Sabah,” he said.
He added that the issue has been given attention, pointing out to the establishment of ESSCom and brand new police stations as well as manpower to ensure Sabah's protection.
Pairin disclosed that another detention centre for illegal immigrants would be established, as the present three were not enough to cope.
He said the present Prime Minister has also issued statements that he was paying attention to all the things brought to him, including the Malaysia Agreement 1963, the rights of Sabah and Sarawak.
“You cannot have this resolved by the flick of a finger. You cannot do that. That cannot be done, unlike Trump, who singlehandedly declared Jerusalem (as the city of Israel). Anywhere else, you have to follow procedures,” he said, without specifying a time frame.