SABAH - Govt Never Complacent In Facing Alien Threats, Says Musa

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 17 (Bernama)

The government has never been complacent in facing the threat of illegal immigrants in Sabah and is continuing with its operations to hunt them down, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Tuesday.

He said that in the Jan-Sept period, 12,788 illegal immigrants, mostly Filipinos and Indonesians, had been deported.

"This shows the government's determination to deal with the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah," he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the State Security Working Committee at Wisma Innoprise, near here.

"We should not be complacent and lose focus on the illegal immigrant threat. The issue must be dealt with firmly, intensively and continuously," he said.

Musa also asked the federal government to continue to hold discussions with the Philippines government to facilitate easier repatriation of its nationals because cooperation from the neighbouring country was needed to ensure proper documentation.

"For example, we do not have a Philippines' consulate in Sabah and we have to deal with the country's embassy in Kuala Lumpur to arrange the travelling documents. Without the documents, it is difficult to send them back.

"It is a bit easier with the situation of illegal immigrants from Indonesia because the country has a consulate here," he said.

On the security situation in Sabah, Musa said that it was safe and under control.

"This situation facilitates smooth development including in the tourism sector. We thank the security forces and all relevant agencies for their roles and commitment to maintain security and safeguard the country's sovereignty," said Musa.

He also said the committee also viewed seriously the drug menace in the state and efforts to deal with it were being carried out.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in a statement here today, proposed that the State Barisan Nasional (BN) convene a special meeting to formulate a masterplan to rid Sabah of its long-standing illegal immigrant problem.

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