KIMANIS: The Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) community should resist being easily manipulated by “irresponsible parties” who are claiming that the power to issue citizenship documents to immigrants lies with the Chief Minister.
In rubbishing such claims, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said that the only party authorised to dispense the documents is the National Registration Department, which works under the Home Ministry.
“Furthermore, am I that silly to give away citizenship to them (Filipino illegal immigrants) when my constituency is often attacked by pirates?” said the Semporna Member of Parliament.
He was speaking to supporters of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) during the launch of Warisan’s branch at Kampung Kelatuan, here.
Shafie and the Warisan-led state government have been heavily criticised by the opposition for supporting the issuance of the Sabah Temporary Pass (PSS) to foreigners in the state, which is expected to take effect from June 1 this year.
The move by the Home Ministry is aimed at centralising and standardising the documentation of foreigners in Sabah, as myriad identity papers which had previously been issued to the group, making it difficult for the current state government to monitor them.
The PSS will replace IMM13, Burung-Burung and Census cards held by foreign immigrants.
Urging the KDM community not to be fooled by baseless claims on PSS, Shafie said that the people should question the previous decades-old government on the presence of 600,000 illegal immigrants in Sabah.
“Does it make sense that the Warisan government, which is only over a year old, is responsible for contributing to that huge a number of immigrants?
“We are not like them (Umno and BN). We come up with solutions to address the influx of immigrants,” said the Warisan president.
Meanwhile, Sabah Pas commissioner Aminuddin Aling said that all parties involved in the Kimanis by-election campaign should promote mature and peaceful politics.
He said both contesting parties should refrain from making political accusations as it would only create an unhealthy perception among the community.
“Those involved in campaigns must focus on emphasising facts and correct data. As for Sabah Pas, we will assist the Umno candidate (Datuk Mohamad Alamin) peacefully and accordingly.
“We have our machinery in place, and we will talk about unity. We will not create an unnecessary fuss in the community,” he said.
The Kimanis parliamentary by-election will see Warisan candidate Datuk Karim Bujang attempting to capture BN’s traditional seat for the second time.
In the 14th general election, Karim lost to former Umno-turned-independent leader Datuk Anifah Aman by 157 votes in a three-cornered fight.
Karim had, in June last year, filed a petition against Anifah’s win. The Federal Court on Dec 1 upheld the Special Election Court's decision in August last year which nullified Anifah’s victory.
The election results were declared void after the court found serious discrepancies in the conduct of the election process by the Election Commission. It paved the way for the by-election, for which early voting will take place on Jan 14 and polling on Jan 18.