Prioritise our poor: Nanta backs calls to bar Palestinian refugees from Sarawak

WORKS Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has backed calls by several activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state to bar Palestinian refugees from entering Sarawak.

Nanta said he supported the stand taken by the Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration (Sapa) and others cautioning the state government over the matter.

“Sarawakians are living happily in perfect harmony…we must be very careful to maintain and nurture this.

“We do not need any elements that can sow divisiveness, hatred or negativity among the people,” he said as reported by Dayak Daily.

Stressing that prevention is better than cure, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak secretary-general said they do not want to regret the decision in the future.

“Sarawak must prioritise socioeconomic development for its people.

“We are small…we cannot be burdened by refugees. 

“We still have many poor people of our own who need full attention and care,” he stressed.

Nanta, who is also Kapit MP, called on those who can afford to contribute financially to assist those suffering to purchase essential supplies.

“That would be safer and more meaningful for Sarawak. 

“Let us help the victims in the best and safest way we can,” added the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu secretary-general.

‘Cultural clashes’

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen echoed Nanta’s sentiments, urging the state government to make a firm stand to Putrajaya on the issue.

Chong said that although Sarawak is the opposition in the state, it shares the same opinion and stance when it concerns the interests of Sarawakians.

“While we empathise with the Palestinians’ suffering, we are worried about the admission of victims into Sarawak.

“This may lead to clashes of ideologies, beliefs, cultures and ways of life with the people here,” he said.

‘Guard immigration autonomy’

Sarawak social activist Peter John Jaban also expressed concern over the possible entry of “Hamas followers” among asylum seekers from Palestine.

“This issue is pressing for Sarawak, which was also recently identified as one of the poorest states in the country,” he said.

According to Dayak Daily, Peter, who is also Sapa information chief, called on the state to guard its immigration autonomy carefully and for Sarawak not to follow the federal administration blindly.

“If their Arab neighbours continue to deny them asylum, then what business does Malaysia have in going against global policy?”

‘Enough undocumented migrants’

Peter’s calls were echoed by Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation president, Daniel John Jambun.

Daniel said Sabah already has irregular migrants from neighbouring countries staying without documentation in 543 colonies spread throughout the state.

Sapa’s views were supported by 12 NGOs from Sabah and Sarawak.

These include Gabungan Orang Asal Sabah/Sarawak; Independent Coalition of Natives Sarawak; Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo; Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah; Persatuan Pembangunan Social Komuniti Sabah; Persatuan Etnik Dayak Asal Sarawak; Gerempung Raban Dayak Sarawak; Persatuan Veteran Tentera Kor Renjer; Persatuan Komuniti Bersatu Kanibongang Pitas; Forum Masyarakat Adat Dataran Tinggi Borneo; Human Rights Activist Sabah; and Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand.

Policies imperative in helping refugees

Meanwhile, a bipartisan MP group had earlier urged the government to issue a special pass for Palestinian refugees in Malaysia that will enable them to stay and work in the country temporarily.

Syerleena Abdul Rashid, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on Refugee Policy, stressed the need to urgently “formulate policies that protect those who have sought temporary refuge on our shores, including those from Palestine”.

“We call for an immediate ceasefire, the urgent protection of civilians, the facilitation of unimpeded humanitarian aid, and the prevention of full-scale genocide in Gaza.

“(The government should also) start the implementation of the amended National Security Council Directive No. 23, which will grant temporary rights to refugees in Malaysia,” said the Bukit Bendera MP in a statement last month.

Currently, Malaysia is not a signatory to the United Nations’ 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.

There are some 600 Palestinian refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the UN High Commissioner For Refugees here as of end-October, said the body.

Over 11,000 killed in Gaza

Israeli airstrikes have killed 11,078 Palestinians in Gaza as of November 10, a UN relief body confirmed.

The Gaza Health Ministry has not updated the death toll since yesterday after the collapse of services and communications at hospitals in the north, it added.

Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al Qidra was quoted as saying that at least 32 patients at the al-Shifa Hospital have died over the past three days, including three premature babies.

Operations at the largest hospital in the besieged Palestinian territory were suspended yesterday after it ran out of fuel, Al Jazeera reported.

In the occupied West Bank, at least 186 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7, according to the health ministry. – The Vibes, November 13, 2023