KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s former chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan repeated his calls for the government to uphold its immigration laws instead of focusing on granting documents to illegal immigrants.

       The paramount leader for the Kadazandusun Murut natives said the issue of undocumented people and illegal immigrants in Sabah goes back decades ago.

       "Now should be the time to fix this longstanding issue.

       "Like how the government is strict with Covid-19 SOP and travel restrictions, it should be the same in terms of immigration regulations," he said.

       Pairin said this in response to Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s statement in defending the proposal to issue identity cards to foreigners in Sabah.

       Hamzah said it was time the issue over migrants in Sabah be addressed through new solutions.

       Earlier, the minister said the proposed cards would be issued to undocumented people in Sabah who have been in the state for decades.

       Many including Opposition leaders and activists have called upon the government to reconsider and for a thorough study of the proposal.

       Pairin said although humans are “citizens of the world”, everyone should have their own country and possess documents issued by their respective governments.

       "Every country has its own duty and obligation to enforce the country’s laws.

       "It is every Malaysian citizen’s constitutional duty to uphold the nation’s sovereignty," he said.

       On this note, Pairin lauded the move by the Sabah state Cabinet to set up a Cabinet committee on the presence of foreigners and illegal immigrants.

       “I hope it is going to be a permanent committee with its own budget and manpower,” he said.

       The special committee will be helmed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.