KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will, through diplomatic channels, continue to urge the Philippine government to consider opening a consulate office in Sabah to facilitate the provision of consular services to its citizens in the state.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni (pic) said the move is crucial for addressing documentation issues involving Filipinos residing in Sabah, thereby reducing the government’s operational burden in enforcement, health and education.
He revealed that, so far, Manila has refused to set up a consulate office in Sabah due to concerns that the move could affect the status of its claim to the state, Bernama reported.
“The Malaysian government will continue to explore all avenues, submit notes, and consistently hold discussions at the senior officers’ level to ensure the Philippines gives priority to the welfare of its people through the setting up of a permanent consulate,” he said while winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address for the Foreign Ministry in the Dewan Negara yesterday.
Lukanisman was responding to questions about the current status of the proposed Philippine Consulate in Sabah which Malaysia had previously advocated for.
