Sabah Amanah views Bangla move with suspicion
Published on: Saturday, February 13, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Parti Amanah Negara is against plans by the Government to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers into the country. Amanah Sabah Communications Director Khairuddin Daud said the plan leaves much to be desired, especially in terms of addressing labour needs in the country. "Think of the effect this influx will bring to Sabah and Sarawak, we in Amanah Sabah are of the view that such influx could threaten the native populations in both states," he said.
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Referring to the projected population in the State last year, Khairuddin said out of the 31.1 million population in the country, a total of 870,400 are non-citizens with Sabah recording the highest number of non-citizens, followed by Selangor and Johor. "Taking this into view, the plan can affect the native community, especially in Sabah, and it is worrying, particularly to think that native customs and the social culture of the people in Sabah will also be affected."The true identity of Sabahans inherited over generations will eventually be lost with the added number of non-citizens," he said. He said bringing in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers would also lessen job opportunities for people in Sabah.
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"Sabah recorded the highest percentage of unemployment registered with the Human Resource Department with a total of 4.7 per cent compared to 3.8 per cent in Sarawak and 2.1 per cent in the peninsula," he said, quoting Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Siringan Gubat. He said the influx would also sideline Sabahans.
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"With the current economy downturn as a factor, employers would surely take the opportunity to hire foreign workers who are willing to work for lower pay, without actually looking at their work competency, qualification and experience," he said. He stressed his point by referring to a statement by Bangladesh Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam reported in a Bangladesh news portal bdnews24.com, that Bangladesh citizens can now work in service, construction and production sectors unlike before where they were only allowed to work in plantation sectors. "It is very regrettable especially since Sabah is capable of producing skilled human resources from vocational colleges, training institutions, polytechnics and university," said Khairuddin. He feared the Bangladeshis may also be used as phantom voters during the election. "The Royal Inquiry of Commission on illegal immigrants in Sabah which started in January 2013, revealed testimonies of Filipino citizens and other foreigners who disclosed how they obtained blue MyKad in Sabah and voted in elections," he claimed. Khairuddin claimed there have been cases of phantom voters being caught during the 13th General Election and feared the plan by the government could lead to a repeat of phantom voters in the coming 14th General Election. "This would definitely deny the voting rights of locals for a clean and fair election, thus we urge Malaysian citizens, especially in Sabah to protest the government plans to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers," he said. He said Amanah Sabah also supports non-governmental organisations, university students and those who oppose the government plan. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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