Issuance of IMM13 to illegals will set dangerous precedence – Anak Negeri
RANAU: Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri rejects the planned issuance of IMM13 pass to replace 136,000 dubious IMM13 documents, kad burung2 and kad banci which would reclassify these illegals as refugees.
Its president, Datuk Henrynus Amin, said the issuance of IMM13 to Filipino illegals claiming to be refugees will set a dangerous precedence with far reaching consequences to the security of the state.
In fact, he said the blanket approval of IMM13 pass to 136,000 or possibly up to 600,000 Filipino illegals is a serious breach of Federal security obligation to Sabah.
He said the people of Sabah expect the Federal Government to fulfill its security obligation to Sabah as provided for under the Malaysia Agreement and the Federal Constitution.
He said the huge presence of transient population in Sabah is an existential threat to the future wellbeing of the people of Sabah.
The Federal Government should fulfill its fiduciary duty to protect the people of Sabah from the huge foreign demographic invasion which will fundamentally change the political demography of the state.
Henrynus reminded the Federal Government that Sabah independence forefathers had agreed to the formation of Malayia solely based on security concern, not economics.
For that matter, he said the Federal Government must be held fully accountable for the huge presence of Filipino refugees and illegals in Sabah.
“Contrary to claim, IMM13 does not facilitate repatriation of these
Filipino illegals to their country of origin. It is in fact a legal document intended to exempt Filipino illegals and their dependents from the strict requirements of immigration laws,” he said in a statement.
He said refugees given IMM13 pass will enjoy state protection and the privileges to stay, work, trade, get married and start a family, send childen to government schools and have free access to government hospitals.
“Strictly speaking, Filipino illegals who arrived after 1980s are essentially economic refugees and do not qualify to be given IMM13 pass or refugee status.
He said Anak Negeri therefore is seriously concerned about the Home Ministry’s IMM13 proposal which will trigger deep distrust of the Federal Government.
“Anak Negeri will be writing a letter to the Home Minister to appeal his decision on the matter,” he said.
Henrynus said Anak Negeri will be reiterating its views that the practical long-term solution to the huge presence of Filipino transient population in Sabah is not the issuance of IMM13 pass but the political will to exercise Malaysia’s sovereign powers on illegals through the strict enforcement of immigration laws.
“Malaysia is a sovereign country. It does not make sense to suggest that Malaysia should seek the permission of the Philippines Government to deal with Filipino illegals in Sabah.”
He said Malaysia’s immigration laws require all foreigners who enter stay, work or engage in trade in this country to be in possession of valid travel documents such as passports and valid entry or work permits.
“Just strictly enforce the Immigration Act 1959, especially the passport requirements, and everything should fall into place,” he said.
He said the issuance of IMM13 pass to Filipino illegals without the expressed consent of the State Government or the State Legislative Assembly is unconstitutional and certainly counter productive to state federal relations.
Henrynus meanwhile questioned why the double standard in the treatment of illegals or the enforcement of immigration laws in West Malaysia and Sabah.
He said the Federal Government is conducting mass arrest of illegals and even rejecting Rohingya war refugees in West Malaysia, but it is planning to legalize or issue IMM13 pass possibly up to 600,000 Filipino illegals in Sabah.
“We urge the Federal Government to immediately scrap or stop the IMM13 proposal and instead show sincerity by holding immediate meeting with the Philippines Government in Manila to discuss the immediate and orderly repatriation of Filipino illegals in Sabah to the Philippines.
He said undocumented Filipino workers in possesion of kad burung2 and kad banci who wish to remain and work in Sabah may be allowed to stay and work subject to their willingness and ability to apply and obtain Philippines passport and work permits.
“These category of undocumented Filipino illegals should be given a timeline or grace period of 12 months to apply for their passport and work permit to enable them to remain and work in the state legally.
“After the expiry of 12 months or may be extended to 24 months, those without obtaining a valid Philippines passport and work permit must be deported to their country of origin.
“Anak Negeri rejects arguments that the Philippines Government only recognize and accept their citizens with IMM13 pass for the purpose of issuing Philippines passport.”
He said it is common knowledge that thousands of Filipino workers in possession of kad burung or kad banci have voluntarily applied for and have since obtained their Philippines passport.
“So claim that Filipino illegals with kad burung2 and kad banci cannot apply for Philippines passport without IMM13 pass is fake,” he said.