NGO tells State Govt to ignore the protests, claims illegals are the majority

KOTA KINABALU - Yayasan Islam Sabah insists that the State Government's recent proposal to legalise illegal workers in the State is justified because the majority of its population is made up of Malay Suluks.

The NGO claimed that "because more than 70 per cent of Muslims in Sabah are of Suluk descent, the rest of the minority population should just accept the reality and the proposed move".

It says that under parliamentary democracy, any decision would always favour the majority.

"Sabah is multiracial country where the Malay Suluks make up the majority at seventy per cent at least.

Based on parliamentary democratic system of government, any decision for the betterment of Sabah must be based on majority decision.

"The minority population of Sabah must accept and acknowledge this unique situation," its Chief of Information and Relation Bureau, Rashid Datuk Amit, said in a statement.

He was referring to Sabah Progressive Party's protest against the proposal during the Black Sunday rally last Sunday.

In the rally organised by the party's youth movement in collaboration with Solidarity Rakyat NGO Pro Sabah (Sorak), the party hoped that the Government would not give them papers but round them up, charge them in court and deport them.

SAPP said in the first place, illegals had no right to be in Sabah to work.

But according to Rashid, the party's protest was against the rule of parliamentary democracy where a decision is made in favour of the majority.

"Yayasan Islam Sabah, therefore, in the name of democratic rule, appeal to the people to ignore SAPP's protest and work together with the majority for peaceful and progressive Sabah. The Malays Suluks will work with the Chinese and Kadazans to make Sabah a real multiracial and progressive country," he said.

He pointed out that the "so called illegals are mostly Malay Suluks" many of whom are in the construction industry.

He said Sabah depends on them for the construction of high rise buildings or shophouses throughout the state.

In relation to the issue, he warned leaders not to play the racial issue but respect Sabah's multiracial identity.

"The Muslims in Sabah are almost 100 per cent Suluk descent. Therefore, Yayasan Islam Sabah appeals (to leaders) not to raise any racial issue," he said.

Former State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad had said that the State Government's proposed move only offered a short-term solution.

She also expressed fear that it instead of addressing lack of employment opportunities, it would worsen social ills in the state.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) President Jeffrey Kitingan had suggested that illegal foreign workers should be given amnesty instead.