KOTA KINABALU: While the government and people of Sabah welcome foreign nationals to come and invest, work, travel, or participate in the “Malaysia My Second Home” (MM2H) program, they must respect and abide by our national and state laws and policies, said Tan Sri T.C. Goh, President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).
He also advised agents, intermediaries, or employers in Malaysia who assist in arranging or introducing foreign nationals to Sabah to take responsibility to ensure that these entrants are aware of our laws and regulations and do not overstay their permitted duration.
“Regardless of whether these foreign citizens are coming for investment, employment, or tourism, they must be made aware of our laws, reminded to adhere to them, and provided with all necessary assistance,” he said.
Goh, who is also a member of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC), made these remarks in a statement today in response to the Immigration Department’s “Ops Mahir” operation conducted on the 24th of this month in Mataking and Pom Pom Island, Semporna, where 61 foreign nationals, including 36 Chinese tourists, were detained. It was reported that the enforcement authorities likely acted on relevant intelligence and complaints.
During the press conference held in Tawau subsequently, Sabah Immigration Director Datuk Sharifah Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof disclosed that the detained Chinese tourists and Filipino illegal immigrants were held for not possessing valid identification documents, overstaying, and abusing their tourist visas. A total of 95 individuals were checked during the operation, and 61 men aged between 19 and 64 from China and the Philippines were arrested for various violations, including no identification, overstaying, and visa misuse. Among them, the Chinese tourists were found to have overstayed their visas, as they should have returned to China in May but stayed on until August. They were suspected of working at a construction site in a resort in the Semporna waters, but further investigation is pending to confirm this.
He added that the authorities are conducting investigations under Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39(B) of the Immigration Regulations 1963. The matter will also be investigated under Section 55B of the Immigration Act for the employment of workers without valid work permits to hold the masterminds or intermediaries behind these tourists’ illegal entry and work arrangements responsible.
Goh, who is also the President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), acknowledged that similar incidents involving foreign citizens overstaying or illegally entering the country occasionally occur in Peninsular Malaysia and other states.
“The government has repeatedly stated that enforcement and crackdown operations, including those by the military, police, and immigration authorities, will continue,” he warned.
He further noted that Malaysia and Sabah are rapidly developing in various fields and need to attract more investments, professionals, and tourists to help drive and accelerate growth in all aspects, including the “Malaysia My Second Home” (MM2H) program, which is actively looking for qualified applicants.
“There are international laws that govern the international community, and our national laws govern the country. Our laws and policies must be respected and complied with; this is important and non-negotiable!” he concluded.
