Ex-CM using race and religion, claims Star

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Star) slammed Tan Sri Harris Salleh (pic) for accusing certain leaders in Sabah of trying "to reduce the number of Suluks", while noting that the former Chief Minister keeps using race and religion as his political weapon.Saban Sawayan, the party's legal bureau chief, said Harris' statement was reckless and inflammable.

"He has always been using race and religion because some people in Sabah are easily swayed and become very angry," he said in a statement.

Harris, who is Yayasan Islam Sabah Chairman, recently suggested a blanket legalising of all persons in Sabah for security reasons and slammed certain leaders who he accused of trying to reduce the number of Suluks in the state.

"It's a reckless and inflammatory statement coming from him as chairman of Yayasan Islam to ever suggest that certain leaders in Sabah are trying to reduce the number of Suluks and to suggest that the government legalise the huge number of foreigners who are illegal immigrants. Those illegal immigrants who are now in Sabah should be charged in court under the Immigration Act 1959 and sent back," he said.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Electrifying windows of opportunity in Sabah - The right policies, collaborations, and strategies can turn emerging opportunities into victories for all parties in Sabah.

CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s 2021 Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) have laid out a road map to an exciting future for all Sabahans, with a target of increasing Sabah’s income levels and GDP per capita from about RM 23,000 to about RM 40,000 by 2030.

He advised the 88-year-old to stop using race and religion to poison the minds of people in Sabah and to enjoy his old age instead. "It's better for him to spend a quiet life with his family and grandchildren," he added.

In his recent statement, Harris insisted on legalising all persons in the state, saying they were needed for economic development especially in the plantation and construction sectors.

He also defended the right of IMM13 card holders to be granted permanent residence status in Sabah and citizenship for stateless children, insisting that this had been a government policy since the 70s.

Harris said it was, and still is, "the government's policy to grant permanent residence to war refugees and stateless children, and to welcome and allow all Muslim refugees to Malaysia after which they would also be given citizenship".

Harris urged the Immigration Department and the National Registration Department not to stop simply because a few politicians started to make noise.

"These departments must carry out the Federal Government policies in granting permanent residence and citizenships. The Federal Government has the power under the Malaysian Constitution," he was quoted as saying.

Parti Cinta Sabah President Datuk Seri Wildren Bumburing described his call for a blanket legalising of all persons in the state as illegal and unconstitutional, and had to be rejected by all citizens.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Sabah said while it was true that the Federal Government had the power under the Constitution to grant citizenship, there was a due process stipulated by the law.

He pointed out that the Federal Government has the duty to protect the interest of Sabahans under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00