Kota Kinabalu: More Sabah NGOs registered their protest against Palestinian refugees being allowed into Sabah, even though the Federal Government had yet to announce such decision.
Momogun National Congress (MNC) President Tan Sri Wences Angang in a statement, said:
“Sabah has been taken for granted far too long. We are now dealing with a slew of socioeconomic issues as a result of the influx of refugees from the Southern Philippines in the 1970s and, later, illegal immigrants from there.
“Sabah can no longer afford to be a dumping ground for refugees from wars in other parts of the world,” he said.
The former Deputy Chief Minister warned that any idea to bring in new migrants with cultural qualities completely alien to us is extremely perilous and would also open the door to greater refugee influx in the future.
“Many Momoguns in Sabah see it as a threat, a possible agenda that will have a negative impact on the socioeconomic and political positions of the Momoguns in Sabah.
“We in the Supreme Council of the MNC believe that we are speaking for all the Momoguns.We will continue to voice out matters to defend the interests of Momoguns in particular and Sabahans in general,” he said.
“When the Sabah founding negotiators agreed to the formation of Malaysia, they believed in the retention of Sabah’s power over immigration forever.
“Now that this power has been compromised by shenanigans, we should no longer stand still and be submissive.
“If Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim persists in pushing this proposal against our will he may be accused of reneging on the noble ideals of Madani Principles, and violating the fight for justice (keadilan) for all Malaysians, which his Parti Keadilan Rakyat hails to be the core of its struggle.
He said Sabahans and Sarawakians would express their frustration and disappointment through the ballot box.
Kelab Komuniti Sayang Sabah deputy president and KDCA Youth Council chairman Steve Johnny Mositin said Sabah cannot bear the burden of more foreigners.
Steve voiced concerns on several aspects, including demographic imbalances, pressure on humanitarian resources, cultural and religious tensions, waves of foreign workers, security risks, increased public service burdens and economic burdens that may arise.
He also noted that the reception of refugees may create a short-term economic burden before they can be integrated into society and the local job market.
“In addition, there are concerns about political instability that may arise.
Former Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Datuk Hiew King Chieu said the State Government’s hands are already full in dealing with the flood of immigrants and related problems.”
Recent statistics stated there were 140,000 identified immigrants residing in 543 squatter settlements in Sabah and Labuan mostly from the neighbouring States.
He said rich Middle-east countries should take the lead in accepting the refugees as they were in good position without Sabah being the champion.
