Plans to implement Sabah Temporary Pass scrapped (updated)

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah state cabinet has agreed to scrap plans to introduce the Sabah Temporary Pass (PSS).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the recent Kimanis by-election defeat was a sign from constituents that they did not want the PSS.

However, Shafie said he would seek a meeting with the Home Ministry in Kuala Lumpur next week to inform them of the state cabinet's decision as implementing the PSS was under the Ministry's purview.

"The state cabinet on Wednesday (Jan 22) decided to cancel the PSS after listening to the voice of the people – not only during the Kimanis by-election, but all those who voiced out against it," said Shafie, who is also Parti Warisan Sabah president told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday (Jan 22).

Asked if there were any proposals to replace the PSS, Shafie said it would depend on the Home Ministry, adding that the state would continue its role to manage illegal immigrants.

PSS, aimed at standardising three different immigrant documents – IMM13, Burung-Burung card and the Census Certificate – was among the factors said to have attributed to Warisan's loss in the Kimanis by-election.

Barisan Nasional's Datuk Mohamad Alamin beat Warisan's Datuk Karim Bujang with a 2,029-vote majority.

Shafie also said that the by-election loss should not be blamed on anyone else but Warisan itself.

"Warisan is responsible for whatever decision taken by Kimanis folks.

"Don't blame Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he has nothing to do with the by-election in Sabah as he was not around.

"Warisan is the one contesting not Bersatu, so we take responsibility," he said.

On Tuesday, DAP's Ramkarpal Singh said that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir, as the head of government, must take responsibility for by-election defeats including in Kimanis.