Immigration loophole allows ‘bad hats’ into Sabah, says Ongkili

KOTA KINABALU: Undesirable elements are sneaking into Sabah via Labuan as there are no immigration checks on vessels coming from the island at the two main ports in the state, says Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Maximus Ongkili.

“There is no immigration control or checks on passengers, ferries and sea vessels arriving at the Menumbok port (near Labuan) or at the Kota Kinabalu ferry terminal,” he said in a statement today.

“This is a serious loophole. This has led to unfettered entry of undesirable elements and unqualified entrants including wanted criminals who are known to have used this route to escape the law,” he said.

Ongkili said the two ports are the two entry points into Sabah from Labuan.

Federal policy and relaxation of immigration rules have caused the state to lose control of its rights, he said while at a dialogue with the Labuan Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association and residents from the mainland residing in the island.

He was responding to questions on whether the loophole was an infringement of Sabah’s rights over immigration under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Ongkili said non-Sabahans are also abusing the loophole by overstaying or illegally working in the state, in contravention of immigration law and the MA63 conditions.

Those who attended the dialogue said the Sabah government should intervene and tighten the relevant laws to plug the loophole. — Free Malaysia Today