RANAU: Youth Chief of Parti ANAK NEGERI (Sabah) and a proud leader of N36 Kundasang, Nazarul K. Wahab, has issued a strong condemnation regarding the alarming increase of sundry shops operated by foreign nationals, particularly Pakistanis with questionable identity cards, across Sabah’s rural villages.
He said he was alarmed by stories, or rather allegations, going viral on social media that these foreign nationals, predominantly Pakistanis, are not only involved in illegal trade as peddlers without trading licenses but are also, in some cases, deeply entrenched in illicit money lending at exploitative interest rates, preying on vulnerable foreign workers and local communities.
“It’s an open secret that these Pakistani-run sundry shops serve as clandestine financial hubs for undocumented immigrants, facilitating both supplies and unregulated financial transactions. Illegal immigrants rely on these shops not just for goods but also as their de facto banks for illicit financial dealings.
“We frequently see Pakistani peddlers moving from place to place, house to house, selling small goods such as clothes, kitchenware, and plastic wares. They often carry their wares with them, either on their person, on a bicycle or motorcycle, or in a vehicle.
“More concerning are the instances right here in Kundasang, where Pakistanis are actively moving from stall to stall, preying on vulnerable vegetable vendors with daily collections on usurious loans,” he said in a statement today.
He said there are heartbreaking stories of Pakistanis preying on women from impoverished families who are unable to repay their debts.
In fact, there’s a recent case in Kundasang where a husband and wife divorced due to debts owed to Pakistani money lenders.
“It is also an open secret that Pakistanis are marrying into the local population not only to gain entry into this country but to carry out businesses using their local wives as fronts.
This begs the question: How are these Pakistanis able to operate sundry shops or sell wares as peddlers from house to house with total impunity?
And how did they obtain their identity cards, with some even marrying local women as a front to secure trading licenses?
A Call to Action: End the Impunity!
“I unequivocally chastise local elected representatives (YBs) for their blatant inaction, accusing them of ‘closing their eyes and acting as if nothing is happening,'” he added.
These surely merit the attention and action of the Sabah State government.
The current enforcement of trading licenses is a travesty, allowing these illegal operations to flourish with total impunity.
Parti ANAK NEGERI demands immediate and decisive action from District Officers. They must proactively investigate and penalise every sundry shop run by Pakistanis engaged in illicit money lending. District Council officers who fail in their duty to curb these illegal money-lending activities must be removed from office permanently.
GRS Government Under Fire for Gross Negligence
“I squarely lay the blame for this crisis at the feet of the current GRS government. They are laser-focused on exploiting our natural resources, yet they have catastrophically failed to stem the tide of illegal immigrants flooding into Sabah. They have allowed tens of thousands of Pakistanis with dubious identity cards to operate with absolute impunity, undermining our economy and endangering our people,” he said.
Safeguarding Sabah: The District Resident Card Initiative
In a bold move to protect genuine Sabahans and regulate local commerce, Parti ANAK NEGERI intends to introduce a crucial amendment to the local government ordinance. This amendment will establish a system to register district residents and issue District Resident Cards exclusively to legitimate Sabahans.
This card will serve as a vital second form of identification, essential for applying for trading licenses, land applications, and all state services. This initiative is paramount to safeguarding our heritage, our economy, and the future of genuine Sabahans.
Parti ANAK NEGERI urges all concerned citizens and stakeholders to join us in demanding accountability and immediate action from the authorities. The time for passive observation is over. We must act now to reclaim our communities and protect our future, he said.
