Ewon
KOTA KINABALU: Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick welcomed the government’s decision to scrap the proposal to implement the Sabah Temporary Pass or PSS by the Home Ministry.
He said in a statement that the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Haji Apdal had announced the decision by the Sabah government to cancel the implementation.
“The announcement is the collective voice of members of the Sabah cabinet in the cabinet meeting held today, after taking into consideration the views and input from the people of Sabah,” he said.
Ewon added that he is proud to be part of the decision to cancel the implementation of the proposal.
He said that during the discussion, his own views were recorded in the minute of the cabinet meeting.
However, he reminded that the issue of illegal immigrants and refugees continues to be the number one problem in Sabah and requires a complete solution.
He said that the refugees and foreigners who visit Sabah for economic purposes must be apprehended and sent back; they must also hold international passport and respect the rule of the land.
The relevant laws, surveillance of our coasts and border and the administration of problems related to refugees and illegal immigrants need to be transparent and must be empowered, he said.
He also said that the Home Ministry should find a mechanism that is accepted by the people of Sabah.