KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Government has collected digital data of some 14,855 foreigners working or living at Sawit Kinabalu estates across the State in a recently-concluded pilot study.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said findings will be tabled during a Cabinet meeting on June 14.
“Then, we expect to cover the whole of Sabah, including squatter settlements and islands, by year-end,” he told a press conference at Menara Kinabalu, here, Friday.
“Once we have the digital data of everyone residing in Sabah, we will be able to regulate the population and preserve human rights.
“That is why we need the full cooperation of employers and foreign labour workers.
“At the same time, we must ensure adequate workforce and resources for technicalities.”
The Internal Affairs and Research Office departmental budget funded the pilot project.
“We do not involve the Immigration or police yet. Otherwise, we would not be able to exercise our job.
“Right now, we are not linked to any enforcement. Maybe when we deal with the policies later, all stakeholders would be involved,” he said.