Committee to table solutions to Sabah’s migrant problem within three months: Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU – Recommendations to solve the longstanding issue of the high number of migrants in Sabah will be presented in the Sabah cabinet within three months, said Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor.  

In addressing the state assembly during his winding-up speech here today, Hajiji (Sulaman-Bersatu) said the state government had set up a cabinet-level special committee, chaired by deputy chief minister II and Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan with several other ministers.  

He said the committee will find the best approaches to solve the state’s migrant issue, and then present its recommendations to the state cabinet for discussion.  

Hajiji revealed that from the early report from Sabah’s Residents Census and Housing 2020 conducted by the Sabah Census Department, 23.7% or 810,443 people out of Sabah’s population of 3,418,715 people are non-Malaysians.  

“This means that the Api-Api rep’s (Datuk Christina Liew-PKR) claim that there are about a million Filipinos in Sabah is incorrect.  

“Out of Sabah’s total population, 2.6 million people are Malaysians,” he said.  

However, Hajiji said that the Sabah government will continue its efforts to curb issues relating to migrants that have been troubling the state for years.  

Speaking about the safety and security in Sabah’s east coast, Hajiji said that the federal government has proposed to set up another Special Task Force (PGA) brigade in Lahad Datu, another PGA battalion in Kunak, and a new control post in PGA Kuala Sg Manalunan, Kinabatangan, and Kuala Maruap, Lahad Datu, and to establish a forward operational base in Pulau Banggi, Kudat, and Pulau Mabul Semporna.  

Hajiji stressed that the state government is firm on its stand that it does not recognise the Sulu sultanate’s claim on Sabah.  

“I would like to stress that the Sabah government has and will never recognise the Sulu sultanate’s claim on Sabah. The people in the state had decided to form Malaysia together, which is recognised by the United Nations,” he added.  

Meanwhile, in fighting for Sabah’s rights, Hajiji said that he has informed the federal government through the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) Special Council meeting that the continental shelf is within Sabah’s boundary.  

“The Sabah government stands firm on its rights over its territory as stated under the North Borneo (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council 1954, which includes the continental shelf. 

“Hence, the rights and interests of the state (regarding the continental shelf) have been informed to the federal government,” he added.  

On another development, Hajiji said that the state government will ensure that all “sick projects”, or halted development projects, that have been approved will be implemented according to schedule.  

He was answering an issue raised by Liew regarding 16 sick projects in Sabah.  

“As the chairman of the Sabah development committee, I have asked the federal government to solve this issue. My priority is on ensuring each project approved by the federal government in each national budget and the 12th Malaysia Plan is implemented according to schedule.  

“At the same time, I have ordered all heads of state and federal departments to take serious attention on this matter,” he said. – The Vibes, March 24, 2022