We have same apprehensions as chief justice – PBS

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KOTA KINABALU: The remarks of Chief Justice for Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum about the seriousness of the issue whereby Pakistani nationals are getting their hands on Malaysian identity documents has got Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) thinking.

Secretary general Datuk Johnny Mositun said PBS too had the same apprehensions as Malanjum that there could be more to the issue beyond that of just a handful of Pakistanis and a syndicate of corrupt immigration officials.

“Pakistanis do not come directly to Sabah from Karachi. They pass through Peninsular Malaysia first, and as we all know, Peninsular Malaysia is flooded with immigrants from numerous countries, including Pakistan.

“It is entirely possible that the so-called syndicate in Sabah is only ‘small fry’ and directed by the masterminds in Kuala Lumpur, whoever they are. I hope MACC and the police will look into that angle.

“PBS also calls on the authorities not to focus just on Pakistanis in Sabah but also look into the possibility of similar things happening with Filipinos, Indonesians and more numerous immigrant communities in Sabah,” Mositun said while declining to elaborate.

Last week in meting out decision against five Pakistani nationals guilty of using visas and social visit passes obtained with false particulars, Malanjum immediately urged the authorities to check the documents of all Pakistani nationals in Sabah.

Towards this end, Mositun believed tightening immigration rules would not deter genuine visitors or tourists from coming to Sabah.

He also said the State Government should review the free entry of people into Sabah via Labuan because there was ample proof of abuse of this privilege.

The relaxed conditions have made it possible for all sorts of undesirables with questionable motives to enter the state as pointed out by Malanjum.

“The Chief Justice has pin-pointed this loophole in our immigration procedures which was abused by several Pakistani nationals who were recently hauled in by the authorities for entering and living in Sabah under false pretences.

“This could be just the tip of the iceberg. We should plug this loophole immediately,” he said.

Calling for the full reinstatement of the immigration procedures applied by Sabah upon the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Mositun said the situation today necessitated strict enforcement of Malaysia’s immigration laws and procedures, not just Sabah’s.

“Ease of entry to Sabah is one thing, but this cannot be at the expense of security and social order. Entry to our state must be controlled. Allowing people unrestricted freedom of entry to Sabah from Labuan is akin to shutting the front door to keep out robbers but leaving a window open for them to enter by. It makes no sense,” he said.

Mositun added the relaxation of entry rules from Labuan to Sabah was only an administrative matter and had been made so as not to inconvenience Sabahans living or working in Labuan from entering the state after Labuan had been declared a Federal Territory.

“But I don’t see how requesting one to produce one’s identity card or MyKad for immigration clearance can be considered an inconvenience. If the document shows the person is a Sabahan, he or she can enter or depart with no restriction,” he said.

Mositun who is also a Deputy State Speaker, said Sarawak had from the beginning exercised its full rights and authority over immigration into that state without jeopardising relations with Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah.

“As a result Sarawak is not flooded with illegal immigrants and other undesirables. Ordinary Sarawakians are also not unduly overwhelmed by economic migrants or marginalised in their own state by more savvy and well-connected businessmen from elsewhere.

“That has allowed Sarawakian businessmen and companies to learn and grow. Today, Sarawakian businesses are among the most competitive and successful ones in Malaysia,” he noted.

“Politeness, efficiency and warm smiles on the part of our immigration officials will more than compensate for a few inconveniences. I do not see why non-Sabahan Malaysians from other states have to be subjected to standard immigration procedures while those entering via Labuan are exempted. Plug this loophole at once, I say,” he said.