Call for new approach in dealing with corruption, illegals

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KENINGAU: Law enforcement alone is not enough if corruption continues unabated among relevant government agencies in addressing the illegal immigrants issue in the state, said the United Murut Borneo Sabah Organisation (BORNEO) president, Datuk Dr Bernard S Maarat here yesterday.

He said the government needed to find a new method to deal with corruption that could destroy the country and the future of the local people in the state.

“The Federal Government needs to enact some laws to punish those involved in corruption,” he said when commenting on the release of the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah on Wednesday.

Bernard said the issuance of documents to foreigners was a serious case and contrary to the laws of the country. So in this respect, the government must be committed to fighting against corruption in certain government agencies to address the issue of ownership of the document by the illegal immigrant to make it more manageable.

“I also suggest that weak and existing law needs to be formulated to strengthen it so as to bring those involved in protecting the illegal immigrants to justice,” he said.

He also supported the establishment of the Permanent Committee on foreigners in the state in order to see the shortcomings of resources and real mastermind in the crime of issuing IC to foreigners.

According to the former Pensiagan MP, the government should look at public allegations on the existence of Project IC and need to find the cause of this document being issued to foreigners.

“The impact on the people is so great even though they were ‘orang kampung’ but what is important for them is to think of the future of their children.

“The government also needs to see that the local population decreases while the number of immigrants increases. Where indigenous people or Momogun will live, where the rumpun Melayu in the state will live, including their future generations.

“This has been a concern for Malaysians in the state that they will continue to feel the squeeze if this issue (foreigners) is not resolved,” he said.