KOTA KINABALU: The federal government and the Sabah government must take seriously the concerns raised by the Sabah Immigration Officers Service Union (KPPIS) over the implementation of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency Act 2024 (Act 860).
Willie Jude Junaidi, the Secretary-General of the Democratic People’s Welfare Party (KDM), stated that the issues raised by KPPIS are not trivial administrative matters; they touch upon the sovereignty of Sabah, the clarity of jurisdiction, and the smooth management of state border security.
He noted that Sabah holds a special position in immigration affairs, protected under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution; thus, any new policy implementation must fully consider the state’s autonomy rights.
“The government must take seriously the concerns raised by KPPIS, as they are the ones on the ground who understand the operational realities at Sabah’s entry points every day.
“If the officers themselves face confusion regarding jurisdiction and uncertainty in SOPs, it can impact the efficiency of enforcement, border security, and the integrity of the state’s immigration system,” he said in a statement here today.
Willie added that the implementation of Act 860 without clear alignment with the provisions of MA63 could potentially create overlapping powers between federal agencies and the state government.
He mentioned that this situation could not only lead to administrative conflicts but also put enforcement officers at risk of legal action while performing their duties.
“Sabah is not rejecting cooperation with the Federation, but what is concerning is any new act that could undermine existing state rights without comprehensive negotiations.
“The autonomy of Sabah’s immigration is part of the foundation of Malaysia’s formation and should not be taken lightly or disregarded under the pretext of administrative coordination,” he added
