NGO claims proposed special pass for foreigners is the same as previously proposed Sabah Temporary Pass

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah-based non-governmental organisation dealing with human rights wants the state government to rethink the proposal to issue a special identification document for foreigners in Sabah.

Sabah Human Rights Centre president Sherzali Asli claimed that the new document was the same as the previously proposed Sabah Temporary Pass (PSS), and should not be “shoved down one’s throats” without first getting views from local communities and leaders.

“This is an incredibly sensitive issue amongst Sabahan natives, so instead of just coming up with a proposal like this and then shoving it down people’s throats and forcing them to accept it, a proper engagement session should be held with locals,” he said.

He said the state government should get the people’s feedback and hold town hall sessions on the matter before compiling it into a proposal.

He said authorities and experts must make respondents understand the extent of the issue, its repercussions and effects if not solved, said Sherzali.

He said locals must also accept the reality that there are jobs that locals are not willing to do, such as manual labour jobs that foreigners do.

Sherzali said although he personally felt that a special pass was the way forward to solve this social problem, public engagement was needed to clarify how the mechanism would work as well as an assurance that this would not lead to citizenships granted.

Meanwhile, Upko Youth said that proposal to issue these passes goes against the state governments pledges during the Sabah election.

Its chief Felix Joseph Saang said the government should come up with a better solution to stop the influx of foreigners and uphold its pledge to rid Sabah of illegal immigrants.

He said instead of fulfilling its promise, the government was now proposing to document these immigrants.

Felix said there were many findings and solutions in the RCI that the government should look at.

He also said more details about the proposed special pass were needed.

“What is the guarantee that this proposal is transparent, open, accurate and free from any irregularities? Issuing these cards must not be arbitrary,” he said.

Similarly, PBS’ Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan said there was no need to issue another document for undocumented immigrants as previous governments had already come up with the IMM13 documents, Kad Burung-Burung and Sijil Banci (census certificate).

He said issuing them a new form of documentation would only cause more confusion and anger among Sabahans.