Star - Set up homeland security

“The State government need to take drastic and urgent steps to ensure the better security of Sabah and its people and should immediately set up a HOMELAND SECURITY to complement and supplement the shortcomings of the federal agencies in protecting the people in Sabah” suggested Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, at the launching of the STAR Sabah, Ranau election machinery in Kaingaran,  and in response to the furore and anger reflected in the internet social networks caused by the recent cruel and brutal murder of the teenager, Norikon Saliwa, in Kota Marudu allegedly by foreigners.

Dr. Jeffrey stressed that one of the key factors why Sabah was pushed to the merger and formation of Malaysia in 1963 was the security threats from Indonesia and Philippines and that Malaysia when formed would take care of Sabah’s security.

However, the federal agencies responsible for Sabah’s security and borders have failed to live up to their expectations.

Therefore, Sabah must have its own Homeland Security to ensure the better safety of its citizens and its borders in the wake of increasing crimes being committed by foreigners/illegal immigrants against locals and the influx of illegal immigrants all over the State.

In recent times, foreigners have shot and killed locals, grievously hurt and assaulted others to the extent of limbs being severed and have been responsible for many, many cases of break-ins, burglaries and robberies.   Even the police are not spared and have been assaulted by these foreigners.

These brutal crimes committed by illegal immigrants with Malaysian Mykads say a great deal about Sabah’s internal security and border controls and prove wrong the denials of the government including, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department who said “ the presence of 889,770 legal and illegal foreigners in Sabah is not a threat to the country or the state's security and order” and recently, Musa Aman, the CM of Sabah, who said ““Due to continuous commitment of all agencies involved, the security level has continued to be very good throughout the State (Sabah)”.

The Sabah government must also consider taking full control of the State immigration and national registration departments to ensure the laws are implemented and to safeguard the sovereignty of Sabah.

STAR Sabah views the Sabah security situation very seriously and will ensure that a Ministry of Homeland Security, Immigration and Registration is established when it is voted into power.

After 49 years of neglect and victimization resulting in a takeover of the political franchise by Malaya through the illegal immigrants and given MyKads through the back-door, the time has come for Sabah and Sabahans to take control of their own sovereignty, autonomy and complement security in Sabah.  The establishment of the Ministry of Homeland Security, Immigration and Registration is now timely.