Kitingan: No NGO sanctioned to collect foreigners' data on behalf of Sabah govt

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has not authorised any third parties to collect foreign workers or stateless persons' data, nor does it recognise any purported "foreigner cards" issued by these groups.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan urged foreign workers and stateless persons not to be misled by any non-governmental organisations (NGOs) claiming to collect their particulars or issuing cards to them.

He advised Sabah employers not to register their foreign workers with any NGOs as well.

“Everyone should be aware that unauthorised data collection or cards issued by any NGOs will not entitle the holder to any benefits, acceptance or recognition by the state government,” he said in a statement on Friday (Apr 22).

His statement came after reports of an alleged scam purportedly orchestrated by a well-known NGO in Sabah, which claimed to have gathered information on undocumented immigrants for the purpose of "assisting the government".

The sale of "foreigner cards" was also said to have gone on in the state.

Kitingan, who chairs the Special Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Undocumented People, said it had met with various government departments, agencies and industry players to discuss the issue of undocumented immigrants and stateless persons in Sabah.

The committee was still engaging with other stakeholders and would present its preliminary report to the Cabinet in mid-May for approval, he said.

He said the committee was aware of the sentiments and wishes of Sabahans including their objections to the Pas Sementara Sabah (temporary entry pass) proposed by the previous Warisan Plus government.

“The committee will present viable solutions to this problem," he added.

He said the state government was committed to resolving these issues and would enforce all applicable laws including repatriation of illegal immigrants to their home countries.

He also said the committee had arranged for the setting up of a Coordination Committee on foreigners in Sabah with the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The Coordination Committee will collaborate with other countries' governments to issue travel and identification documents that would facilitate the repatriation process.