Foreign nationals: KDN, Sabah govt to develop comprehensive strategy

The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Sabah government are poised to develop a more comprehensive strategy to address the matter of foreign nationals in the state following the conclusion of the census on this group.

Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor are chairing a joint committee known as the Foreign Nationals Management Committee for this purpose.

He said via this committee, the Chief Minister’s Department is presently conducting a census to precisely ascertain the presence of foreign nationals in the state, encompassing individuals holding various foreign registration cards.

“To formulate future measures, it must be based on accurate facts. So this task is being carried out by the Sabah

Chief Minister’s Department, and later, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Sabah government will collaborate to plan the way forward,” he said during the Minister’s question time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

He was addressing a supplementary question from Vivian Wong Shir Yee (PH-Sandakan), who sought information on the government’s measures to identify the current holders of IMM 13 passes, ensuring their compliance with the criteria set by the Immigration Department.

Wong pointed out that there was an issue with the unauthorised sale of these passes on the black market after the original owners had passed away.

IMM 13 holders are permitted to reside in Sabah, including Labuan, according to the specified duration on the pass, and they can work in the state without a work permit (excluding jobs in the professional and public service sectors).

Saifuddin highlighted that challenges concerning foreign nationals in Sabah are notably complex, particularly given the presence of a community known as Pala’u, who reside in water villages, currently numbering in the tens of thousands, grappling with identity document issues.

“Some are from the Philippines and Indonesia. They have families here and face various circumstances. Nongovernmental organisations are involved in the discussion of matters such as their education and access to healthcare.

“Sometimes, they give birth at a clinic or hospital, then leave without settling the bills, leaving their children behind. So, it is a very complex situation that we need to address one by one,” he said. — Bernama