PSS proposed by the previous govt, says Azis
Published on: Sunday, December 01, 2019
By: Hayati Dzulkifli
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Temporary Pass (PSS) for foreigners whose implementation is scheduled for June but is being opposed by some quarters was actually proposed by the previous government but under a different name.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk MD Azis Jamman (pic), who disclosed this, said he could not recall the actual name but it was also aimed at tackling the presence of foreigners in Sabah.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Such proposal was supposed to be carried out by the past government but since there was a change of government, it was brought up to the new government whether to continue or not.
“Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) can do what they want (in respect of seeking a court injunction against the PSS).
“Looking at the history of PSS, it was a proposal under the previous government to address the perennial issue of foreigners’ presence in Sabah including the holders of IMM13, Surat Burung-Burung and Census certificates.
“But since the new government took over, we just carry out what it (previous government) had planned as I see and agree that we (new government) need to do something so that the issue of producing fake documents of IMM13, Surat Burung-Burung and Census certificates could be tackled and resolved via implementing the PSS,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Azis, who is also Warisan Sepanggar Divisional Chief, said this to reporters after officiating a Satellite Office of Warisan Sepanggar at Inanam township here on Saturday.
PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus J. Ongkili had said that entry into the Borneo states is only possible with approval from both Sabah and Sarawak governments and the Federal government has no unilateral power to make laws and regulations in respect of immigration in the two East Malaysian states without formal consultation and agreement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Azis said PBS should listen first to the details on the proposed implementation of PSS and later give feedback as a town hall session and proper explanation for all Sabah leaders, including the opposition, would be held.
“PBS has yet listen to the detailed explanation. I have told Parliament that we will do the explanation via town hall sessions, next month, to Sabah leaders including State government and the opposition, and yet, it has already made a presumption….They (opposition including PBS) should be patient and later can comment after listening.
“Looking at all their comments, I see the reality is they do not understand about PSS and they make comments as if the government is encouraging foreigners from the Philippines to apply PSS. I think they have politicised this issue.
“Again I emphasise that PSS is not for foreigners who just arrived but those who have been holding the three documents (IMM13, Surat Burung-Burung and Census Certificates) that were issued by the previous government.
“We are only issuing PSS to 136,055 people for those holding the three documents for the purpose of coordination to prevent issuance of fake documents so that they can be controlled. If there is a claim on issuance of PSS to two million foreigners, then they (PBS) can raise a concern and give comment on this,” he said.
Azis reiterated that PSS is necessary to facilitate enforcement operations to be able to differentiate original from fake documents. He believed many foreigners are holding fake documents in Sabah.
When the period of registering for PSS has ended, the police or immigration can arrest and detain those found holding fake documents.
He cited addressing fake money where the government would tackle this problem by creating a new currency so that the authorities and people could differentiate fake and original money.
On a statement by Star President Datuk Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan that the Philippine Government is ready to accept the return of its citizens including the IMM13 holders in Sabah since the war in Southern Philippines had long ended, Azis said about 5,288 Filipinos have been deported till November, this year.
“The Philippine government would accept the return of their citizens if the latter show valid documents that prove their citizenship of Philippines.
“The problem that arises derived from the second, third and fourth generations of IMM13 holders, Surat Burung-Burung and the Census cards as they were born in Sabah and have no proper valid identification documents. They have no passport, or birth certificates born in the Philippines and do not know their families or relatives in the Philippines.
“How can we prove that they are Philippine citizens when they could not prove their citizenship,” Azis said.
According to him, issuance of IMM13 was stopped in 2013 and Barisan Nasional (BN) government ruled the country from that year until May 2018.
Hence, Azis said if it is really easy to send back these foreigners holding the three documents, how come the then BN government did not do it when in power.
“Why the leaders of this previous government are barking now (on not returning those foreigners)?
On some criticising renewal of the PSS once every three years and not three months similar to the renewal of social passes for other Malaysians when they come to Sabah, Azis said renewal once every three years is suitable and appropriate due to its practicality and taking account feedback from the Immigration Department.
“What would happen to the Immigration office if the renewal of PSS is carried out once every three months? I think the first cycle has yet to be finished renewing the document, then another group would come to renew the PSS which will flood the Immigration counters with the (PSS) holders.
“When this happen, the locals would be complaining that the Immigration officers have nothing to do but renew the PSS until the locals cannot do their errands like renewing Malaysian passports.
“Malaysians from the peninsula have a home to return to when their social passes expire but the PSS holders have no place to go to when their documents expire. That is why we have to consider the practicality here as well as look into feedback from the Immigration officers and personnel attending their clients at the counters,” he said.
Meanwhile, the setting up of another office for Warisan Sepanggar in Inanam is to facilitate the welfare and social needs of Inanam residents so that they do not have to go to the main Warisan Sepanggar office at Alamesra.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
A task force for the Chinese community led by its chairman Lewis Wong was also set up to reach out the community as well as others.