KOTA KINABALU: Community advocate Jaesman Gipin has welcomed the Sabah State Government’s decision to postpone the implementation of the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) in the state.
As the first NGO leader in Sabah to raise the issue, he described the postponement as a courageous move that supports the protection of immigration autonomy, in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“I welcome this decision to delay the AKPS implementation. It is crucial for safeguarding Sabah’s constitutional rights over immigration as affirmed under MA63,” he said in a statement issued today.
“This marks a victory for the people of Sabah who have long called for the proper recognition and enforcement of MA63,” he added.
Earlier, Jaesman, a former immigration officer, had voiced concerns over proposed amendments to the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency Act 2024 (Act 860), which would transfer control of border entry points in Sabah to the federal AKPS agency.
He warned that such a shift could weaken the authority of the Sabah State Immigration Department and compromise the state’s autonomy.
Willie Jude Junaidi, Secretary-General of the Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), echoed these concerns and urged the Sabah government to carefully consider objections raised by the Sabah Immigration Officers Union (KPPIS) regarding the AKPS plan.
Willie emphasized that Sabah holds a distinct status in immigration matters, protected by both the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution, and stressed that any new policy must fully respect the state’s rights on immigration.
