Illegal immigrants problem not a priority to BN

Kota Kinabalu, Aug 5, 2010: SAPP Youth warns PBS not to think the public ignorant or gullible so as to believe the BN political mind games.

"Despite the bravado statement by PBS Secretary General, Henrynus Amin, the fact remains that BN is perceived by the public to still have huge vested interest in the continued illegal immigrant presence in the State," Youth Leader Edward Dagul said.

"When the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, disclosed the fact that the illegal immigrants problem in Sabah was not one of the country's top six order of priorities, it clearly supported our worries all this time that the oft described "Mother of All Threats" issue in Sabah is actually a non-issue to Putrajaya.

"The illegal immigrants problem is a security issue and this should be treated as such. When we as Malaysians talk of Security breach which may lead to the eventual erosion of our sovereignty, this issue should be given top priority irrespective of the fact that the security breach occurred in Sabah or anywhere else in Malaysia.

"As pointed out by Henrynus Amin, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin had been vocal on the call for the BN government to resolve the issue by 2012. This was a well known fact to all especially the Prime Minister, Datuk Najib, who officiated the 2009 PBS Annual Congress.

"Who could believe that even PBS's and UPKO's top leaders as senior ministers in the Federal Cabinet could not get the Prime Minister's attention on this illegal immigrants issue which is a threat to national sovereignty? Have these leaders compromised State interests for their own benefits?

"The special laboratory set up in Sabah was an after-thought. This was done to "appease the growing frustration and public discontent in Sabah". By the time the results of the special NKRA laboratory is known, the next 13th General Elections is over. And BN parties like PBS and UPKO still dancing to the tune of the master as if this problem can be solved just by a few statements calling for BN action. They have conveniently forgotten that they are part of the BN government.

"BN has ignored the issue because they are having the support of PBS. It is this, i.e. PBS's collusion with UMNO, that has further eroded Sabah's rights and autonomy.