KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) urged the Singapore government not to punish Sabahans and Sarawakians for the wrongdoings of a few East Malaysians working on the island.
Its secretary, Catherine Jikunan, said there are a lot of foreign workers in Malaysia, who would also sometimes cause a lot of problems, but added: “Malaysia has yet to bar entry of any nationals who wish to earn a living here.”
She added that when it comes to causing problem, it is not just restricted to male Sabahans and Sarawakians only, adding that it involves a lot of people of different nationals.
“This would definitely pose a challenge to both governments – Malaysia and Singapore – to find ways to solve the problem.
“And as for the Sabah government, it is MTUC’s hope that they would get to the bottom of the matter, and discuss with the relevant parties to find the best solution to the problem. We are not saying this to encourage our youths to work abroad, but we cannot actually stop them if they want to earn their living there, so the best thing to do is to assist them in whatever way the government can,” she said.
She was commenting on the new ruling imposed by Singapore banning male East Malaysians aged below 35 from working in the country
after a series of crimes and fights involving rowdy native Sabahans and Sarawakians in the republic.
Under the new ruling, fresh workers below 35 were barred from entering Singapore while those within the age group and already working there could not renew their work permits after they expire within two years.
Jikunan said they have yet to receive any official circular on the ban, and hope that the Singapore government would provide justifications for their decision to issue the new ruling.
“It is actually odd because as far as we are concerned, employers in Singapore are happy with their Sabahan workers, and described them to be loyal and hardworking. So we really hope there is justification to this new ruling,” she said.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy secretary-general Darell Leiking also totally disagreed with the Singapore’s decision.
“Whilst we are now border-less with the Asean economy, why should innocent and determined Sabahans and Sarawakians get caught up with the irresponsible acts of one or two bad apples?
“The Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs must summon and demand the Singapore High Commissioner to ask his government to retract that ruling,” he said.
Darell added the ruling was an insult to every Sabahan and Sarawakian.
“What does it say about those who are currently working in Singapore?” he asked, adding that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman should also write a protest against the ruling and show that he is equally insulted as a Sabahan.
Darell also said the people of Sabah should ask the government why so many Sabahans and Sarawakians are leaving the nation to work in Singapore and ask the government to resolve the problem.