KOTA KINABALU: Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) takes note of recent warnings by Tan Sri Ayob Khan that the Rohingya issue has become a serious national concern requiring urgent and coordinated action.
We agree with one fundamental principle:
When illegal immigration is not addressed decisively at an early stage, the consequences can become deeply entrenched and increasingly difficult to reverse.
For Sabahans, this is not a theoretical concern.
It is a lived reality.
SABAH HAS BEEN RAISING THIS ALARM FOR DECADES
Sabah has long faced the social, economic and security implications arising from prolonged irregular migration and weak enforcement.
The challenges include pressure on public services, concerns over demographic changes, border security, labour market distortions and public confidence in governance.
These issues cannot be ignored or dismissed.
Nor should they be politicised.
They require principled, lawful and transparent action.
THIS IS PRECISELY WHY BoPiMaFo TOOK THE MATTER TO COURT
BoPiMaFo did not commence legal proceedings for political reasons.
We sought judicial intervention because the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Illegal Immigrants in Sabah have remained substantially unimplemented despite the passage of many years.
The objective of our court action is simple:
to seek accountability for the implementation of the RCI recommendations;
to ensure that the Government discharges its public duties in accordance with the law;
to protect the constitutional rights and legitimate interests of Sabah and its people; and
to encourage lasting institutional reforms that strengthen border management, immigration governance and public confidence.
The rule of law requires that serious findings of a Royal Commission should not simply gather dust on a shelf.
PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE
Malaysia must learn from Sabah’s experience.
Strong border controls, effective immigration management, action against human trafficking syndicates, accurate civil registration systems and inter-agency coordination are essential to prevent problems from escalating.
Equally important, enforcement should always be carried out fairly, humanely and in accordance with the law and respect for human dignity.
SABAHANS DESERVE ANSWERS, NOT DELAYS
The people of Sabah have waited many years to see meaningful implementation of the RCI’s recommendations.
Public confidence can only be restored through transparency, accountability and decisive action.
BoPiMaFo therefore reiterates its call for the Government to fully address the root causes of illegal immigration in Sabah, implement appropriate reforms without undue delay, and ensure that the integrity of Sabah’s borders, institutions and constitutional framework is safeguarded for present and future generations.
The lesson is clear: delaying action on systemic problems only makes the eventual solution more difficult and more costly.
