Published on: Friday, February 12, 2010 |
Kota Kinabalu: Women leaders in Sabah have questioned the apparent "double standards" in Sabah practised by the Health Ministry and Immigration Department when it comes to allowing in foreign masseuse.
They noted that while the Immigration Department does not allow foreign masseuse to enter the peninsula without a support letter from the Health Ministry, this was not the case in Sabah where Filipinas, in particular, are freely engaging in the trade.
Luyang Assemblywoman Melanie Chia Chui Ket said the same rules and requirements should apply nationwide.
"We must have the same policy in place in Sabah to avoid 'hanky panky' in this business. There cannot be two modes of practice.
"It is important to ensure that these people have the recognised and proper training. Clients will then have the comfort of knowing that the masseuse are professionally trained and that they (clients) won't get hurt," she said.
According to Chia, prospective masseuse in China are required to undergo vocational training at different levels, beginning with foot reflexology before being upgraded to body massage techniques.
She also emphasised the need to ensure that vice does not take place behind the faade of massage outlets.
"Such activities will tarnish the image of our tourism industry which also offers decent massage services. Going through the Health Ministry will prevent foreign masseuse from trying to camouflage their real intention.
It is common knowledge that some (Filipinas and China nationals) enter our State on the pretext of masseuse but end up offering sex."
The women leaders were commenting on a statement by the Health Ministry's Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) Division Branch Head (Policy and Progress), Jaafar Lassa, that foreign masseuse without proof of training and experience are barred from entering the peninsula.
"Foreigners who want to work in TCM services in the peninsula must get the (Health) Ministry's support letter and then only will the Immigration Department agree to allow them in. What I know is the Immigration Department is a little bit different in Sabah and Sarawak," Jaafar said.
Former Senator Datuk Christine Tibok-Vanhouten blamed slackness or "shutting one eye" on the part of enforcement agencies as the reason behind the influx of these women, who are mostly into prostitution.
"There should be only one law for the whole country but it appears that in Sabah, the implementation is blur. Filipinas and other foreign women should be properly documented and qualified if they intend to work in Sabah as masseuse.
"The Sabah Immigration Department must be as stringent as its counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia. The women must be endorsed by the Health Ministry. We want the department to be more committed in ensuring the law is enforced accordingly," she said.
Vanhouten, who is also President of Desanita, believed the many Filipinas into Sabah lately could be the work of a syndicate. "The women could not have come on their own."
Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS) Chairperson, Datuk Asnimar Hj Sukardi said: "It is pointless to talk about 1Malaysia if we are having different Immigration regulations for Sabah."
She also said it is common knowledge that many Filipina masseuse in Sabah are operating on social visit pass. "They are not supposed to work. Clearly, they have flouted the law but has any action been taken by the Department?"
The Council is also aware that some Filipinas, who applied to work as domestic helpers or plantation workers in Sabah, are doing something else in massage parlours and reflexology centres.
The levy for plantation work is cheaper and this loophole must be plugged.
"We (MPWS) also hope the authorities concerned will conduct frequent spot checks on Filipinas in the city to detect law-breakers. If they are holding a 'kebun pass' they should be in the plantation sector and not into massage," Asnimar, who is also Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Community Development & Consumer Affairs, said.
