KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will defer the policy and implementation of the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) until assurances are obtained that there will be no erosion of the state’s special rights, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister said this deferment will be in place until there is guarantee on Sabah’s autonomy powers over immigration, as well as the authority of the state government in this matter.
“This is to ensure the constitutional safeguard regarding the position of Sabah over immigration continues to be protected at all times,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Hajiji said the state cabinet has examined current issues related to the implementation of AKPS in Sabah.
He said the implementation of AKPS is intended to take over the role of the Sabah Immigration Department at state entry points, whereby the state authority will not have direct powers over AKPS, but only through the Sabah Immigration director as provided under subsection 6(3) of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency Act 2024 (Act 860).
“The state government has also identified inconsistencies between Act 860 and the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), which could affect the implementation and effectiveness of enforcement duties at Sabah’s entry points by AKPS,” said Hajiji.
