KOTA KINABALU: Pantai Manis Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail urged the Federal Government to be serious in tackling the illegal immigrant (PTI) problem in Papar which is worrying the people there.He suggested that drastic action, including revoking the land titles of locals who have flouted the rules stated on the title by profiteering from the rental of their lands to these foreigners.
He said security had now become an issue in his constituency following the increasing presence of PTI colonies on private lands there.
"The colonies have been in existence in several villages in my constituency like Kg Buang Sayang where I was born, Kg Sri Tanjung and Kg Sungai Padang where the PTIs built squatter houses in mangrove forests and bushes.
He said although the concerned authorities like police, Immigration and Papar District Office had taken action, the colonies still exist and the PTIs are roaming in villages and the township.
Rahim, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional Backbenchers' Club Chairman, was debating the State Budget 2015 at the Assembly.
He said the locals are calling on the enforcement and local authorities to use any existing provisions to resolve the issue immediately, including taking stern action on the greedy landowners.
"If this perennial issue is not fully addressed, I fear the presence of PTIs will create various social problems as drugs, thefts, robbery and the use of pump boats is becoming common in Papar.
"Syndicates will entice the locals to be involved in smuggling, selling contraband items like cigarettes and alcohol beverages, among others," he said.
Rahim, who is also Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB) Chairman, suggested the enforcement authorities and agencies including the Land and Survey Department conduct an integrated operation to investigate the land status being occupied by the PTIs not only in Papar but the whole State.
He said investigation on the land status need to be carried out to make sure the renting of the private lands to PTIs did not violate the Sabah Land Ordinance.
"If renting out the lands to PTIs is clearly breaching the provisions in the ordinance, then the land titles should be revoked as the owner has caused additional PTI colonies in Sabah," he said.
On another matter, Rahim also urged relevant authorities to take immediate action against operators extracting river sand illegally in Papar, which is becoming rampant in the constituency.
He fears the illegal sand extraction activity would destroy the natural surroundings and properties of villagers living near the riverbanks and has been going on for a long time without any action from the authorities.
"Strict action without compromise should be taken against the operators who are digging and extracting the river sand without permit as the illegal activities are detrimental to the enviroment and damaging properties of the villagers living near the riverbanks.
"That is why I am urging the concerned department and agencies to discharge their duties and responsibilities with integrity so that the issue could be fully addressed for the interest of the people in Papar," he said.
Rahim has also asked for more kindergartens under Sabah Islamic Religious Department (Jheains) to be built in Sabah to be in tandem with the noble aspiration of the Government that focuses to produce quality human capital.
So far, he said Sabah only has 12 such kindergartens and he proposed that the State Government build four Jheains kindergarten in each district in the State.
In regard to corruption allegations that caused investors refuse to invest in Sabah, Rahim said the Kota Kinabalu MP Jimmy Wong should not act like a "crying wolf".
He said Wong should reveal names of companies he claimed had informed him about the corruption allegation and must also provide detailed information.
Rahim said the Auditor-General has given high recognition to the State Government for its good governance and outstanding management on the State's financial standing.
"What is the right of Jimmy Wong to dispute the Auditor-General statement? I do not think that the people in Sabah would easily believe Wong's claims over the report of the Auditor-General.
"If Wong did some homework, he would know that Sabah Economic Development Investment Authority (Sedia) announced on April 12, this year, that it has attracted RM128 billion in invstment in which RM38 billion had been spent, for the first quarter of this year.
