KOTA KINABALU: The IMM13 is the most appropriate single document to solve illegal immigrant woes in Sabah, says STAR Sabah.
Party president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the use of IMM13 to group all inland foreigners from the Philippines holding the "Burung-Burung" and census cards was a positive first step towards resolving illegal immigration issues in Sabah.
He said this following the announcement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin that it would be appropriate to relook at the issuance of IMM13 cards during his working visit to the state.
The IMM13 is a document issued to Filipino refugees in Sabah.
Jeffrey, who is Keningau MP, said this grouping of the three outstanding inland foreigners is easier to understand under one legal and international document.
“The Philippine government will also be happy because once they are given legal status as Filipinos and given passports, they can be given work passes to work in Malaysia, ” he said.
“I am happy that the Federal Government is taking this first step, which has been long-awaited, to resolve this mother of all Sabah problems, ” he said.
Other initiatives mentioned during Hamzah’s visit were to identify the many secret jungle paths or "jalan-jalan tikus" used by illegals to enter Malaysia, and to ensure these illegal border entries are properly secured.
Jeffrey, who is also the Tambunan assemblyman, announced that his party will contribute its efforts to help the federal government in explaining this new development to the people and through the upcoming forum on illegal immigrants he proposed.
“This resolve is a positive step taken by the Perikatan Nasional government towards preserving the country’s security and sovereignty, ” he said.
“I hope the next important step of issuing the proposed Sabah IC will follow suit in the near future, ” he added.
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