Leaders welcome move to embark on crackdown

KOTA KINABALU: State leaders hailed the decision to launch a massive crackdown against illegal immigrants in Sabah describing it as "a step in the right direction."

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the decision reflected the government's seriousness and commitment in addressing the problem which had become a thorny issue in Sabah for many years.

He said while there were ongoing operations to nab illegal immigrants, the state government was pleased to note that the Federal Government would be launching a large-scale one.

"The issue of illegal immigrants is everyone's concern in Sabah and not just a concern of a few," he said, adding that it is a task which would require systematic coordination among the relevant authorities.

Musa, who is also state security committee chairman, said that the state government welcomed foreigners to Sabah as long as they had valid documents.

Meanwile, Sabah police are ready to conduct the massive operation.

State Commissioner of Police Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim said as in the past, the police would work closely with the other enforcement agencies such as the Immigration and National Registration Department to ensure the success of the planned operation.

A similar operation, carried out in 2003, saw more than 200,000 illegal immigrants from the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries such as Pakistan, India and China detained and subsequently deported.

During the comprehensive operation, more than 3,000 squatter houses in illegal settlements were demolished.

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai said the decision was something which the people of Sabah had been waiting for.

"Let us hope that this will be the first step of many such actions until the illegal immigrant problem in the state is finally resolved," he said.

Consumer Association of Sabah and Labuan president Datuk Patrick Sindu, while welcoming the operation, doubted if it would solve the problem.
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