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(Bernama) KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 -- Describing the influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah as threatening the peace and security in the state, two of its members of parliament (MP) have called on the federal government to urgently resolve the matter.
They told the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday that the problem, which had been persisting for too long with no solution in sight, had become the main worries among the people. Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (BN-Keningau) likened the problem to a time bomb which could create serious implication if there were no serious steps taken to tackle the menace. "It is understood that there have been attempts by among these illegal immigrants to apply to become armed forces recruits using fake identity cards," he said when debating the motion of thanks for the speech by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Pairin, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah President, said the failure to tackle the problem showed that there was a lapse in security surveillance at the borders as well as weaknesses in the enforcement of the law.
He said the issue had now reached a chronic stage and requiring urgent solution.
The influx of illegal immigrants had been going on in Sabah since early 70s, with the Federal Special Task Force estimating their figure to be around 60,000 at the moment.
Non-governmental organisations in Sabah claimed however, that their number could be as high as 1.5 million people, which is almost half of Sabah's population.
Meanwhile, Puteri Umno vice-chief Rosnah Abd Rashid Shirlin (BN-Papar) called on the government to close down or relocate the refugee camp in Kinarut, about 15km from Kota Kinabalu.
She said the camp had the potential to become the biggest "syabu nest" in Sabah.
Rosnah also said residents living near the camp were exposed to social problems as well as health problems because of the camp's poor sanitation and lack of proper waste disposal system.
"I want all entry points into Sabah be shut off to illegal immigrants while those already in Sabah be sent back to their home countries," she said when debating the same motion.
She suggested that the federal government obtain the actual number of illegal immigrants in the state, including those who had been given permanent residency, and take steps to tackle the problem.
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