Sabah's locals 'immigrants' in their own land
Local Sabahan Bajau Encik Zaidi Atoh and other residents who are living
in Kampung Likas, 10 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu, said they felt
like "immigrants in their own land".
Even the Muslim residents said they feared for their children's safety
when these foreigners move into their villages turning the area as a hub
for drug trafficking and smuggling.
At Kampung Air, a shopping area located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, a
local taxi driver told that their earnings are affected when these
Filipino and Indonesian drivers appeared in the area.
In Keningau, two hours traveling distance, the locals have to compete with these foreign migrants for business spaces/slots.
According to local activists, this is the result of Project IC, identity
cards given to illegal immigrants through illegal means thus making
Sabah crowded with migrants. A testimony from last year's Lahad Datu
intrusion of which many of the 'foreign militants or intruders' held
Mykad.
The project started by Umno as a dirty election tactic aimed at changing
the demographics of Sabah increasing the muslim illegal immigrants to
the population level of 38%.
Foreigners with MyKad are now competing with locals for business
licenses and permits. Locals also expressed their displeasure when these
foreigners are willing to bribe the authorities.
Local activist Jalumin Bayogoh said if the issue was not addressed seriously, the tension could turn into violence.
Genuine IC, false citizenship
The Royal Commission of Inquiry findings revealed that Project IC took
place in the 1980s and 1990s during its hearing held in January 2013.
Witnesses who were called during the inquiry mentioned top politicians
and civil servants involved during the era of the reign of Tun Dr
Mahathir Mohamad.
Identity cards are simply given to Muslim immigrants, mostly from the
Philippines and Indonesia without going through legal channels to gain
citizenship.
Dr Mahathir in his testimony held that citizenship granted to Filipino immigrants in Sabah were done legally.
A book published by Sabah Reform Party (STAR), "Borneo Agenda" claims of about 300,000 foreigners received identification cards.
"Now, they may consist of millions of immigrants who obtained Malaysian
citizenship through the back door," said the author of the book, Neston
Joannes.
He quoted former Sandakan, Asainar MP Ebrahim @ Hassnar who admitted participating in the project IC.
Nestor wrote that the project caused Sabah's population increase to 302%
between 1970 and 2000. In comparison, Sarawak has a population of more
than Sabah in 1970 recorded an increase of 106% of the population in the
same period.
He said, foreigners are given identity cards so they could vote in the election.
"To strengthen the dominance of Umno in Sabah, they use foreigners with given ICs to be supporters of the party."
Jobs and neighborhoods invaded
Chong, a taxi driver for 12 years witnessed how the car rental industry
in Kota Kinabalu slowly taken over by Indonesian immigrants.
"Now all airport taxi driven and managed by the Bugis. Many of those waiting at hotels and shopping centres," he said.
In fact these immgrants even have permits and their names appear on the
cab door, said Chong and two other drivers and Sapri Ahmad who told The
Malaysian Insider.
Ahmad said that to get a taxi permit, a person must have an IC, driving
license and at least $15,000 in savings in the bank. They said
foreigners may be willing to use the "back door" to obtain a permit.
While the locals refused to pay bribes to obtain the license.
In addition to the loss of jobs and businesses are concerned, the people
of Sabah also felt immigrants seize everything at their disposal.
Zaidi, who was head of security and the development of Kampung Likas
(JKKK) said local residents are not comfortable with the placement of
foreigners who build their bases for smuggling along the river near
their village.
He said, the river became the centre for smuggling cooking oil,
cigarettes and drugs because it was used as the exit or entry point into
Sabah.
"They are aggressive and breaking laws and can easily escape by boat
back to to their hometowns if the police are on their heels.
"In the village there are also fights using weapons such as machetes and
swords involving immigrants and their enemies. However, there are no
reports of local people involved in such incidents. But we live in fear
every day. My friend said as if we are 'immigrants' even though in our
own country."
A Malaysia problem
Local activists believe 64,000 Filipinos with refugee status in the 1970s, were granted citizenship.
Jalumin from Borneo Heritage Foundation, said these refugees should be
given special passes that allow their residents to find work and send
their children to school.
"But it does not give them the right to vote. When their children go to
school, we can teach them respect and be loyal to the country. "
Sabah BN leader Jahid Jahim said what was more disturbing for the people
in the state were foreigners who were loyal to the militants/terrorists
outside Malaysia.
This was even more disturbing when they are ready to kill Malaysians when receiving instructions from their group.
Jahim said initially, the government must re-register each person in Sabah and give the new IC.
This will help isolate the Malaysians and migrants. He is echoing SAPP's
inaugural call/proposal for Sabah IC in their manifesto to solve the
illegal immigrants issue.
"This problem is not just a matter of Malaysia Sabah," he said, which is also the Sabah United Party information chief.
Translated by JC from written article by Sheridan Mahavera in BM
