Deportations may lead to collapse of Malaysia economy

Monday, 21 July 2008
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net

The economy of Malaysia, particularly of Sabah, could collapse if its government continues with the crackdown and deportation of so-called illegal migrant workers, including hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, a Filipino diplomat said.

The diplomat, who requested anonymity as he does not have any authority to speak on the issue, affirmed earlier reports that Filipinos in Sabah are allowed to vote in Sabah elections, and that they are then deported in regular anti-illegal migrants campaigns.

"This follows a regular cycle. After every election, the politicians seek to show their teeth and after a concessional deportation of a few thousands, they would again look the other way because they also realize the contribution that our people have on their economy. Without them, their economy would collapse," he said.

The diplomat said the number of Filipinos in Sabah alone could reach as many as 400,000.

While there are no official estimates, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos puts the number at around 200,000, while Malaysia puts the number at around 300,000.

Told that the Malaysian government has expressed "seriousness" in ridding the island of "illegal migrants," the unnamed Filipino diplomat said, "Their seriousness is limited by their logistics. Imagine deporting that many people. They would lose their shirt."

Both sides agree that the Philippines' un-acted claim over Sabah complicates the deportation further because while the country seeks for an orderly deportation of Filipinos from Sabah, it cannot formally set up a consulate office there as it would effectively be recognizing Malaysia's claim over Sabah. A consulate office in Sabah would facilitate the documentation of the deportees, who for the most part were born and raised in Sabah and know no other home but Sabah.

Malaysia contends that it has jurisdiction over Sabah because the people of Sabah have so chosen, and it occupies the oil-rich island. International law experts agree that occupation is nine-tenths of any similar claim.

The Philippines' claim is based on historical records, which indicate that the sultanate of Sulu owns Sabah. This is supported by the annual lease payment made by the Sabah government to the sultan and his heirs.

After the March elections in Malaysia, its government has stepped up deportations, sending back around 250 “illegal migrants” each week to Zamboanga City, where the Philippine government has set up a one-stop processing center composed of officials from the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

This contentious issue will be the main topic at the Fifth Philippines-Malaysia Working Group Meeting on Migrant Workers that is scheduled on Monday and Tuesday. This meeting, which started in 2005, is an annual forum to address bilateral concerns on the status of Filipino migrant workers in Malaysia.

Conejos, who heads the Philippine delegation in this meeting, said the forum is timely.

"The issues expected to be discussed during the meeting are the overall status of Filipino migrant workers and refugees [IMM13 cardholders]," he said.

He said the two governments will also tackle the recruitment of Filipino workers; the processes of arrest, detention, and repatriation of undocumented workers; and the programs to regularize their stay in Malaysia through the issuance of machine-readable Philippine passports.

The two parties will also discuss broader themes and common security concerns such as human trafficking, border control, and immigration.

Conejos said he hopes the meeting with Malaysian authorities would ensure the welfare and protection of documented Filipino workers, as well as the orderly repatriation of undocumented workers.

SAPP wants details on Sabah red IC holders

Thursday, 24 July 2008 10:26
Kota Kinabalu: SAPP wants the Home Minister to disclose to the public the actual number of Red IC holders awarded Malaysian citizenship as well as those who are applying for it in Sabah, including their racial background.

Its Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun said this in response to the Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar's recent statement in Parliament that the Government will not be taking any action on citizenship applications from Red IC holders in Sabah because the number involved was small.

He said as the Minister in charge Syed Hamid should have had the figures and breakdown readily available and disclose these, rather than letting the public guess themselves.

Eric said many living in the remote rural areas in Sabah are either holding a Red IC or do not have an IC.

The Sepanggar MP also asked for the procedure of processing an application from Red IC holders for Malaysian citizenship to be done properly and transparently, to prevent any abuse.

He said the government also needs to be fair to genuine Sabahan bumiputeras, who are born outside the country like Brunei and now still holding a permanent resident status, who have applied for Malaysian citizenship but find it hard to get approval.

"When they apply for citizenship, even after so many years they cannot get it but are instead given permanent residence, while foreigners who maybe just arrived yesterday easily get citizenship," he claimed.

Syed Hamid, in answering a question from Kota Kinabalu MP Dr Hiew King Cheu, said if the holders of Red ICs wished to become Malaysian citizens they have to submit an application to the National Registration Department (NRD).

The Government will process their application and the decision will be forwarded to the applicant after considering all factors, he added.

- Daily Express

P'Confusing answers to fake IC query'

Thursday, 24 July 2008 10:25
Kota Kinabalu: The answer given in Parliament on fake IC cases in the country is confusing, said Sabah DAP's Local Government and Housing Bureau chief, Edward Ewol Mujie.

Based on the written reply to Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun who had asked about the number of people found guilty for having fake MyKads in each state, he said it was puzzling that there was none in Sabah.

The Home Ministry stated that from year 2004 to 2008, there were 562 cases of fake ICs detected.

The breakdown of these cases were 263 cases (under National Registration Department headquarters), 59 in Melaka, 32 in Kuala Lumpur, 26 (Perak), 21 (Selangor), four in Kelantan and one in Terengganu. Another 156 cases were described as being under police action.

"Sabah seems to be very clean as there are no cases but whether this scenario is true or not, nobody knows, unless the Government can confirm it," he said.

In fact, he said all the local newspapers have been publishing names of persons who had been convicted for possession of fake ICs (MyKad) in Sabah.

He said DAP wants the State Government to provide the actual figures and whether it is true that there were no cases of people being caught in Sabah for possession of fake Ics.

- Daily Express

Legalising them, not granting citizenship

Thursday, 24 July 2008 10:25
Kota Kinabalu: The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) President Datuk Sari Nuar said the call in the memorandum that they submitted to the State Government was for the legalisation of foreign workers.
"No, we never suggested that the State Government grant citizenship to the illegal immigrants in Sabah. We understand that obtaining Permanent Resident (PR) status or citizenship must be through certain procedures and all this is really up to the Government," he told reporters here Tuesday.

But, Sari said since Sabah is still depending so much on foreign labour to the extent the State's economy risks being paralysed if they are no more here, they had suggested to the Government to look into the possibility of giving amnesty to those who are currently working but without papers.

The clarification was made following the statement by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Wanita chief, Melanie Chia who on Tuesday slammed the FCAS for seeking the legalisation of illegal immigrants who have been living in Sabah for more than 15 years with no criminal records.

He also clarified the call was not part of the resolutions adopted by the FCAS annual general meeting but was actually among four separate memoranda from the Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) that they also handed to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman on July 18.

According to Sari, following the Government's announcement of the major offensive to flush out illegal immigrants in the State, the business community particularly in the construction and plantation sectors, are worried that their workforce is going to be depleted.

Stating that the State Government had implemented similar measures before, he asked why can't there be a second round of amnesty for paperless foreign workers to be regularised.

"We suggest that a so-called pardon be given to both employers and employees. The employers can declare their workers who are without work passes without action being taken against them," he said.

"But this is only for foreigners who are working. Those who are here illegally and without jobs should be treated by the law accordingly," he stressed.

Based on last year's Statistic Report, the population in Sabah including Labuan was 3.149 million comprising 2.360 million Malaysian citizens and nearly 800,000 non-citizens, he said.

Towards this end, Sari said FCAS is organising a public forum on Aug. 2 to discuss problems on illegal labour and illegal immigrants at the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's multi-purpose hall here at 10am.

He said invitations had been extended to trade associations and bodies, NGOs and professionals so that suggestions and proposals could be collected from the forum.

Sari said he respected SAPP's view on the matter and hoped their representatives would come for the forum to share their views and give proposals.

He said the Immigration Department and Labour Department had also been invited to attend the forum to provide background information.

"More comprehensive proposals will thus be compiled for submission to the State and Federal governments on the pressing issue of illegal immigrants," he said, adding the forum would be chaired by Dr Oh Ei Sun.

On the objection by the Sabah Environmental Protection Association President Wong Tack to the call for the State Government to allow the coal-fired power plant to proceed in Silam, Lahad Datu, Sari said the memorandum on this was derived following the public forum on June 26.

"All the experts were around at that time and all of them said the project is good," he said, adding that while everyone was entitled to their own ideas Wong should have attended the forum to present his view then.

"We are not here to quarrel but why did you not attend the forum?," he asked.

Meanwhile, associations and trade bodies are requested to confirm their attendance before July 30 with the FCAS secretariat by contacting 088-253433 or fax 088-268433.

- Daily Express

Some of the comments from SAPP Blogspot readers :

Anonymous said...
what is FCAS? Fxxking Cum Ass Sucking group? what authority do they have and do they know what will be the consequences by leeting those "millions" of PTI become citizen of sabah? Sari Tan may be a bumiputra and he may need all those PTI to be his cheap workers so that he will be enrich further...go to hell with him!!!

July 21, 2008 2:19 PM



Anonymous said...
ya..your are damn right to address them as xxxxxx group...they even claim that UMNO is the one who demand for the 20% oil royality...sari Tan is world No 1 xxxxxxx!!

July 21, 2008 2:22 PM


Anonymous said...
what the xxxx, is he (Sari Tan) sabahan or UMNO running dog???

July 21, 2008 2:28 PM



Anonymous said...
in this case for FCAS calls for legalisation of illegals", I suggest Sabahan should go to DPM's office or house for help. DPM & wife said their office and house are open 24-hour-a-day for the Rakyat...

July 21, 2008 5:20 PM


SabahSupremacy said...
Stupid FCAS, Member of FCAS is the tauke in Sabah, they dont care about the rakyat, they only care for their business as they can hire cheap labour from those legalized immigrant. Ask the FCAS president if he really care about sabah or we just kick the fu.kin. ass hole of FCAS. I think the president of FCAS son in law is Pilak thats why he want his son in law to be a Sabahan.

July 21, 2008 6:52 PM


govt full of shit said...
I have a friend (chinese) born in labuan 40 years ago, but only managed to get his blue ic last few years. he was holding a red ic since his birth.

becoz of their race (non-muslims), pr or citizenship is very hard to get whereas the muslim illegals from Philippines, Indon can easily get n thousands of them during Dr M's Project Ic.

Why the govt kept quiet over this treachery???? It seems better to enter Sabah thru the backdoor than using the proper channel.
What an irony! govt is full of shit! and shit! and shit!

July 22, 2008 1:32 PM




Zonkers said...
Sari Tan is a traitor and should be casted out or castrated.

while bn parties calling Yong a traitor, just think of umno paklah or KJ having secret meetings with pas and trying pact without the knowledge of other bn parties.

its like a pot calling the pan black.

on Sari Tan (or last time he used mohd sari tan) is what i can describe "chameleon" and a fat one!

July 22, 2008 1:39 PM


Anonymous said...
orang Sari tan ini orang malaya mari, apa dia tahu tentang sabah? umno mesti kena dihalau keluar dari sabah baru sabah ada HOPE! Kalau tidak, orang KDM lagi susah dan akan pupus tak lama lagi di sabah. percayalah apa saya cakap.

Sebab ketua KDM tahu jilat bandat syaitan umno sija dan sanggup jual tuhan, keluarga dan maruah mereka sebab $$$$.

July 22, 2008 1:59 PM


Anonymous said...
we sabahan must do something, why should we be play around and sell off by a ass sucker called Silly Tan who is not even born in Sabah...and claim that he is a sabah chinese leader !!! every real sabahan should shit on his face!!!

July 22, 2008 2:28 PM


FohYang said...
FSCA- Federation of Sabah Chinese Association .
Tell us , what is your principle & objective & mission ??

You are suppose to help thousand of Chinese who are still holding RED & GREEN IC , turning them into
Blue IC / Mycard .

How come you are harping now on the Illegals ? May be you have changed your association to
" Federation of Sabah Philippines Illegais Association "


We appeal all Committee and Sari Tan to appologise to SABAHANS immediatelly .

Sari Tan has become the TRAITOR of Sabah .

July 22, 2008 3:52 PM


MK said...
FCAS -
Sari Tan and his marvelous
committee ,

You all must be crazy .
Can't you all differentiate the illegal & legal ?

You are suppose to accept the LEGAL and not to welcome the ILLEGALS ?

I have asked my Primary school daughter today , and she gave me the answer she welcome the LEGAL , do u agree with my daughter 8 yrs old ??

July 22, 2008 4:04 PM


free sabah said...
FCAS means "Filipino Chinks Association of Sabah"

July 22, 2008 8:23 PM


John said...
Sari Tan u are a stupid fool
U will regret in ur life time .

July 22, 2008 10:30 PM


Anonymous said...
Latuk sari tan,

Go home 2u lah(philipine) u re born in philipine. we dun need u here.

July 23, 2008 11:14 AM


pengetua lim jian aka ninja turtle said...
MOHD SARI AKA 2 5 ZAI,
LU CINA MASUK ISLAM TAPI MASIH MAKAN BABI !!! MAKAN CHA SAU FAN !
RUMAH KAU MASIH ADA PATONG BUDDHA ! SIA PERNAH PI RUMAH KO ! SIA KAWAN ANAK KO ! RUMAH KO DI DEPAN KIAN KOK SCHOOL !!!!! ANAK KO TU ERIC TAN !!!!! SCHOOL DI KIAN KOK LAST TIME !!! YOU BBIKIN MALU CINA SAMA MELAYU !!! KO TU SETENGAH TIANG ! NAMA ISLAM TAPI MENGANUT BUDDAH !!!! SIX FEET UNDERGROUND IS WAITING FOR YOU !!!

July 23, 2008 12:10 PM

Plug loopholes and then act: SAPP

Thursday, 24 July 2008 10:24
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Wanita chief, Melanie Chia, called on the relevant authorities to first plug whatever loopholes there are in the present system and law before embarking on a large scale exercise to deport illegal immigrants from the State.
She stressed such a move was crucial and necessary to ensure the Government's effort in resolving the illegal immigrants issue would not end up wasting the relevant authorities' time and taxpayers' money.

"This is certainly not something the people of Sabah want to see after having suffered for so many decades."

She was responding to doubts expressed by the State Immigration Director Datuk Baharon Talib in a recent news report on the effectiveness of caning as a deterrent to deter the influx of illegals into the State.

Chia who is also the Assistant State Finance Minister cum Luyang State assemblywoman noted that the revelation by Baharon that some illegal immigrants caught returning to Sabah without valid documents were those who had been caned and deported as many as seven times, clearly indicated there were loopholes or flaws in the present system and law.

She also criticised the Deputy Director of the National Security Council for his recent remarks that local employers were to blame for the presence of a large number of illegal immigrants in Sabah as, they prefer to hire illegals than the locals.

"This is absolutely incorrect and unfair to the local employers as no one in his or her right mind would simply want to hire an illegal to work for them with the full knowledge that it would later bring them a lot of unnecessary trouble including heavy fine and imprisonment, if caught," she said.

She said she had been made to understand that currently many local employers had ended up employing the illegals because there is too much red-tape in hiring legal foreign workers.

- Daily Express

Pak Lah’s economic reckoning

Thursday, 18 September 2008 08:38
WALL STREET JOURNAL ASIA

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced this week that he has enough parliamentary support to unseat the current government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. If he does, Abdullah's lacklustre economic management will be largely to blame.

The prime minister has not introduced any substantive reforms during his nearly five years in office, preferring to rely instead on opening up the government purse. Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan announced in 2005, he expanded public-sector spending to RM200 billion annually from RM160 billion. In his Midterm Plan Review this year, he increased this outlay to RM240 billion. The national debt now stands at RM285 billion, up from RM192 billion in 2004. The official fiscal deficit has risen to 4.8% of GDP this year, from 3.2% last year. Revenue is being spent faster than it is coming in.

It's hard to argue that these outlays have served the broad public interest. Much of the funding has been channelled to elites in the majority Malay community, under the country's pro-Malay affirmation action programme. That has created discontent with many Malay who don't see the full benefits of the programme, and among the minority Chinese and Indians, who are excluded from it altogether.

Abdullah's stewardship has had a real impact on the economy. Capital flight has risen sharply; Malaysian investment abroad now exceeds inward foreign investment. The Kuala Lumpur stock exchange has lost almost one-fifth of its value this year to date. Malaysia's currency, the ringgit, saw its biggest one-month loss last month since the end of the dollar peg in 2005. Although GDP growth has averaged a robust 5% annual growth under Abdullah, that record is now under threat. Inflation reached a record 8.5% this summer. Job creation has reached record lows, as unemployment, particularly among young majority Malays, remains high. Ironically, only the opposition-led state governments are attracting new foreign investment — and without the federal government's help, no less.

Abdullah's 2004 attempts to promote growth and investment — such as through the promotion of the biotechnology and agricultural industries — have failed. He also fumbled discussions with the United States on a free trade agreement, which have now stalled. What Malaysia really needs is education reform and the liberalisation of its labour markets to improve its economic competitiveness.

The political opposition, in the form of Anwar and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition, have seized on these issues. They have promised to root out corruption and to implement a new economic policy to address the concerns of all ethnic communities in Malaysia. Their platform aims to move beyond populist spending to introduce structural reforms in government procurement programmes and in the management of government-linked companies.

When Abdullah assumed office in 2004, he inherited an economy in need of structural reform. Malaysians have had to pay for his poor stewardship through higher prices, stagnating wages and growing private sector debt. Soon, Abdullah may have to pay the political price for that record