Proposal was for Resident Pass, not PSS: Pairin
Published on: Friday, January 17, 2020
By:
Sherell Jeffrey, Hayati Dzulkifli
KIMANIS: Former chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has refuted claims he was among those responsible for recommending the Temporary Sabah Pass (PSS) for illegal immigrants. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
ADVERTISEMENT
“They say the RCI recommended the setting up of PSS. I flipped through the report many times and I can’t find anything that says PSS. My name is also not involved. So how is PSS said to have been started by BN?,” he asked.
He also refuted claims by Parti Warisan Sabah Vice President Datuk Junz Wong that after the formation of the RCI committee, he (Kitingan) took over as RCI chairman.
Kitingan said the book shown by Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie which contained 368 pages is the RCI report and a permanent secretariat was recommended to be set up to manage the various issues concerning illegal immigrants in the State.
He said a main committee was also recommended by the RCI report and this committee was jointly headed by then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi and then Chief Minister of Sabah Tan Sri Musa Aman.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The committee chaired by me is the technical working committee which was tasked at gathering and compiling feedback and recommendations from political bodies, NGOs, individuals, Sabah Law Association and other groups,” he said.
He said the technical working committee then submitted these to the main committee.
ADVERTISEMENT
“A Resident Pass was proposed through briefing or presentation of information from the Immigration Department. What was mentioned was a Resident Pass and not PSS.
“Whatever is proposed, we will send to the main committee, and as far as I know no decision was made because of the political change in our country,” he said.
Kitingan furnished a copy of his letter to Zahid who was then deputy prime minister and chairman of the main committee dated Sept 16, 2017.
The five-page letter, he said, is regarding the position of the technical working committee’s report on the presence of illegal immigrants’ presence in Sabah following the conclusion of the RCI discussion.
“This shows we sent our reports based on recommendations and feedback gathered by the technical committee as terms of reference,” he said.
He said this also shows that the BN government worked hard and took numerous steps to address the issue.
“We know the implications brought on by the presence of illegals, we have stressed so many times before that action must be taken.
“We are made to understand that every year a total of RM13 million is spent on illegals at temporary detention centres and because of that we have proposed for the deportation process to be expedited. All this has been implemented by the BN government and should be continued by the current State and Federal Government,” he said.
“In our efforts to find a solution and to ensure our future is guaranteed, we must realise that it is not easy to decide proposals to have passes for illegal immigrants. There are solutions that needs special attention on several groups, first there is the refugee who holds IMM13, second are those who have work but are without documents and third are those with no work and no documents.
“Why is the current government rushing in proposing the implementation of PSS instead of having proper discussions with everyone?
“I have said that the issue of illegals is a huge problem and is subject to the Federal Government administration. We in Sabah have urged the federal government to take measures to address this issue because many locals suffer due to the presence of illegal immigrants, we are all well aware about the implication and negative impact with their influx and presence in Sabah.
“As Malaysians living in Sabah, we should think about our rights as Malaysians, don’t allow situations which will jeopardise the safety of our citizenship to happen. Don’t let certain groups take sides with non-citizens instead of siding citizens in their own country.
“We should not allow a situation which can jeopardise the future of our state, of our people and the sovereignty of our country to happen, we should stand up to defend our future together,” he said.
Also present was Umno President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, MCA President Wee Ka Siong, PBRS Deputy President Arthur Kurup, Sabah Umno Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar, PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus J Ongkili, BN candidate Datuk Mohamad Alamin and former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
