KOTA KINABALU – A war of words has erupted between the state’s ruling coalition and the opposition over the prime minister’s proposal to give temporary work permits to undocumented migrants.
Leaders in the Warisan Plus alliance are on the offence against Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders over Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s proposal to give out temporary work permits to resolve the shortage of manpower in the rubber and palm oil sectors.
The three Sabah parties – PBS, Sabah Star and PBRS – had heavily opposed the previous Warisan-led Sabah government’s attempts to resolve the migrant issue.
They were against the proposed temporary Sabah pass that suggested for undocumented migrants to each have a single ID card to replace their IMM13, surat burung-burung and census certificates.
They had accused Warisan leaders of wanting to turn the undocumented migrants into Malaysian citizens.
GRS took power in Sabah after winning the state election on September 16.
Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said Muhyiddin’s proposal is nothing but a slap in the face of GRS.
“During the Sabah state election recently, the illegal immigrant issue was fully utilised by Perikatan Nasional, GRS and Barisan Nasional leaders. They have played with the sentiments of Sabah voters, stoking anger and distrust towards the Warisan-led Sabah government.
“They blame the previous Warisan-led state government for the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah,” said Tangau.
He added that GRS leaders’ recent defence of Muhyiddin’s proposal shows their hypocritical nature.
He said the proposal marks the continuation of Putrajaya’s lack of respect to the seriousness of the migrant problem in Sabah.
“It was embarrassing for (Datuk Seri) Jeffrey Kitingan (Sabah Star president) who was immediately corrected by PBS leader (Datuk Seri) Maximus Ongkili after saying the temporary work permit would only be applied in Sabah.
“Maximus had explained that such a proposal will include Sabah and Sarawak if there is a request from the plantation and industrial sectors.”
Tangau also accused Jeffrey and Maximus of causing widespread misconception over the temporary work pass, saying that it is for refugees, not illegal immigrants.
“The prime minister’s proposal is much more dangerous and giving them a temporary pass further legalises their stay in Sabah.
“The law states that illegal immigrants must be arrested, charged, convicted and deported.”
Jeffrey recently said the prime minister’s plan to grant a temporary work pass to illegal immigrants would only apply in Peninsular Malaysia, but Maximus was quick to say the pass would only be used in Sabah in view of the shortage of workers in certain sectors.
PBRS deputy president Arthur Kurup meanwhile called for a comprehensive study to be made first. – The Vibes, November 3, 2020
