LDP: Include representatives from ruling, opposition parties in committee

KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Youth chief Jimmy Lai has urged the newly-formed Special Committee on Undocumented Foreign Workers and Foreign Nationals in Sabah to include representatives from both ruling and opposition parties to study the proposed issuance of Kad Warga Asing (Foreigner Card).

He said that in response to the appointment of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan by the State Government to chair the committee tasked to collect input from law enforcement, industry players, political leaders and community leaders on how to best address the issue of undocumented foreign workers and their dependents in Sabah.

Lai opined that the government should invite representatives from both sides of the political divide in Sabah to join the committee for it to be more credible and effective in resolving the issue.

“The committee should also discuss the proposal on the issuance of Foreigner Card.” He said the Youth wing fully supported LDP president Datuk Chin Su Phin’s call for political leaders to sit down and reach a consensus on the best approach pertaining to the issue of issuing Foreigner Card to undocumented immigrants in Sabah.

He said political leaders have had their say on the matter but that remained all talk without a comprehensive solution to resolve the longstanding issue in the state.

“Since the government intend to solve the problem, they should look into the matter from all perspectives by allowing all political parties in Sabah to take part in the formulation of an acceptable solution.

“This will also prevent the issue from being politicised during election because the decision was agreed upon by all parties.”

Lai also concurred that the Foreigner Card merely served as an identification of the foreigners, as opposed to granting citizenship or permanent resident status to undocumented migrants.

He said the card would enable the undocumented foreigners to work and go to school in effort to curb social problems in Sabah.