KUALA LUMPUR: The migrations of the people from the Philippines to Sabah were distinctive, dictated essentially and effectively by time, circumstance and event.
The report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants in Sabah said the first phase of migration took place when early migrants came to Sabah from the Sulu archipelago in the late 15th century.
The report cited a study by Dr Dayang Suria Mulia, University Malaysia Sabah who said undocumented immigrants were aided materially by their network of closely knitted ethnic and familial groups in Sabah.
The influx of undocumented immigrants in Sabah, she said could be explained by a combination of interrelated factors such as geopolitical locations, cultural and ex-colonial links, the demand for low paid workers and the continuing economic disparities between countries in the region as well as the lack of immigration controls.
The RCI, in quoting a recent study by UPKO where a large number of immigrants were interviewed, said it was found that social or family networks played a vital role in migration flows.
“Migrants planning to get ICs have said that the moment they get their own ICs, they will bring other closely related family members to Sabah.
“Marriage is also used as a means to promote migration, where family members in the home country are married to migrants who have already obtained ICs here, in return providing a stepping stone for other family members to come to Sabah.
“This pattern is found all over Sabah and only confirms the danger of increasing illegal immigrants on our shores.”