Published on: Friday, July 13, 2007 |
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will use the existing diplomatic channel to continue recommending the opening of the Philippine Consulate in Kota Kinabalu soon.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Foreign Ministry Ahmad Shabery Cheek said both Governments had agreed during the Second Malaysia-Philippines Joint Commission Meeting in 1995 for the opening of the Philippine Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu and the Malaysian Consulate General in Davao City.
"The Malaysian Consulate General was opened on Dec 7, 1995 in Davao City, however, to date, the Philippine government has yet to open its consulate here," he said in reply to Senator Datuk Chew Vun Ming in the Dewan Negara.
In the context of diplomtic relations, it was improper for Malaysia to continue urging any country to open its consulate in the country, he said.
On the entry of illegal immigrants to Sabah, Ahmad Shabery said the Government was concerned over the problem but it could not be overcome in a short time in view of the presence of technical obstacles.
The problem would take time to be resolved, he said.
On immigrants from the Philipines, he said: "The government will continue to strive and cooperate with the Philippine government so that the problem of the arrival of illegal immigrants from the Philippines can be resolved as soon as possible," he said.
