Abang Johari Tun Openg
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s office has clarified today that he did not suggest relaxing the rules for Sabahans to enter Sarawak immediately when he was interviewed by the press in the neighbouring state on Monday.
“In this regard, this office wishes to clarify that what the Chief Minister said in response to a reporter’s question in Kota Kinabalu recently did not in any way suggest that such a relaxation would be implemented without thorough and careful consideration of the social and geopolitical conditions, including problems of refugees,” the office said in a brief statement.
It also pointed out that “the Chief Minister clearly stated that the present arrangement still stands”.
According to a Bernama report, Abang Johari had told reporters that the time will come when Sabahans can enter Sarawak without being subjected to any conditions.
It also cited the Chief Minister as saying that even today, there was no problem for people in both states to go in and out of Sabah and Sarawak as no fee was imposed.
Abang Johari and his Cabinet were on a two-day visit to Kota Kinabalu to foster closer ties and cooperation with their Sabah counterparts.
The Chief Minister’s purported remarks had drawn plenty of flak as it sparked fears that Sarawak’s autonomy in Malaysia would be eroded further.
At present, Sabahans entering Sarawak are required to produce their identification cards at the immigration counter in line with Sarawak’s rights over immigration as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution.