KOTA KINABALU: The Home Ministry is not serious in tackling the illegal immigrants (PTIs) issue in Sabah, said United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko).
Its treasurer-general, Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh, alleges that there seemed to be a lack of political will in addressing the matter.
“When something like this is debated in parliament, they tried so hard to evade the issue. They always beat around the bush when asked by Sabah MPs. It is annoying getting that negative reaction,” he said to The Borneo Post when asked for his comments on the public outcry following the murder of van driver Joni Somudin by a robber.
He urged the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, to do something about it.
Mojigoh added that a memorandum on PTI had been submitted to the federal government by Upko deputy president Datuk Wilfred Bumburing sometime last year.
He said that he does not know what has become of the memorandum.
“But I think they just throw the memorandum into the rubbish bin.”
He said that the people are already fed up and that the people could see how useless it is even with their representatives voicing their grouses on their behalf.
Mojigoh also said that while foreign labourers are crucial to help Sabah’s development, particularly in the construction industry, it is imperative to facilitate the foreign workers’ documentations.
“The bad hats have to be screened. Those who have no business to be in Sabah must be sent back,” he said.
He stressed for the need to facilitate their work passes and added that foreigners who overstay and do not have any document must be arrested and deported back to their home country.
However, the lack of a positive directive and effort to address the problem has made it difficult for enforcement agencies to act on the issue.
The lack of a positive direction and effort has also, according to Mojigoh, led the people to perceive that the minister in charge is not keen in solving the problem.