MIRI: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) and Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) have voiced strong objections to any move to relax Sarawak’s immigration laws.
They oppose the suggestion by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg (pic) to allow for Sabahans’ unconditional entry into Sarawak.
PSB said the party was worried about the suggestion.
“The Chief Minister had suggested that in the near future, Sabahans will be allowed to enter Sarawak freely without any immigration process.
“Sarawak has autonomous control over immigration as enshrined in the Constitution.
“Any outsiders wanting to enter must pass through the proper immigration process,” PSB said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 17).
SUPP also issued a statement to say that the party will not sanction the proposal.
“Allowing free-flow entry of outsiders into Sarawak without immigration control will jeopardise the interest of the state.
“This right of immigration control is something that cannot be compromised,” said SUPP.
Sarawak and Sabah have autonomous control over immigration matters.
It is one of the 20 points agreement spelt out in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Johari met with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal last week in Kota Kinabalu for a courtesy call.
He then told reporters there that Sarawak may soon allow Sabahans to enter Sarawak without using a passport or filling up an immigration form as is required now. – The Star