KOTA KINABALU: The state government is planning to turn a far-off island into a refugee settlement as part of its humanitarian measures to provide shelter to those escaping from conflicts in neighbouring countries.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the government had identified an island close to the maritime border with the Philippines.
“However, this (plan) is still in our ‘hala tuju’ (direction) to bring it into a realization. The security forces, such as the navy, will need to play their role.
“The concept is similar to the one of Pulau Bidong in Terengganu,” he told reporters after launching the new cross-bred echo grouper fish at the State Legislative Assembly Building.
(Pulau Bidong was turned into a refugee settlement for those who fled Vietnam after the end of the Vietnam war. It was opened in 1978 with just over 100 refugees but soon grew to accommodate tens of thousands of Vietnamese.)
Shafie, who is also the state Security Council chairman, said the move would be part of the state’s preparations in dealing with possible mass escape, especially of Philippine citizens, should there be war in their country such as what had happened in the 1970s.
“So, we have proposed a settlement in an area far from the Sabah mainland so these people (war refugees) can be placed there in case there is an influx from a neighbouring country, be it the Philippines or Indonesia... mostly, from the Philippines.
“We have identified an island near to the Philippine border. It will not be within the islands that are close to our mainland like Mantanani and Sipadan.
“There will be security control because this is for humanitarian reasons as people are running for their lives. So, we will not bring them to the mainland like what we had done in the past,” he said.
Shafie refused to reveal the location of the island but said the media would be informed when the appropriate time comes.
He also said there was no need to discuss the matter with the Philippine and Indonesian governments.
Earlier, Shafie welcomed efforts by Bayu Aquaculture Sdn Bhd to introduce a new species of grouper by way of hybridisation, adding that the move could help enhance the fisheries sector in the state.