GOVT URGED TO IMMEDIATELY FLUSH OUT ILLEGALS IN SABAH

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Feb 16 (Bernama) -- The government has been urged
to immediately launch massive operations to flush out illegal immigrants in the
east coast of East Malaysia state of Sabah, particularly Lahad Datu province.

Consumer Association of Sabah president Patrick Sindu said the murder of the
two local smallholders by illegal immigrants in Kunak, near Lahad Datu,
should be an eye opener for the relevant authorities to act quickly.

He said the association viewed the matter with urgency as it involved a
serious crime committed by illegal immigrants.

"We believe that prevention is better than cure and we hope the government
will look at it seriously.

"The authorities should launch immediately the massive operation to rid
Sabah's east coast of illegal immigrants for the good of the state and the
people," he told Bernama here Sunday.

On Thursday, two smallholders who went to harvest oil palm in their
plantation in Kampung Tingkayu, Kunak, were hacked to death by a group of
illegal immigrants.

Their bodies were found the following day under a heap of dried palm fronds
with some body parts detached. Bernama was told that at least five other
smallholders were seriously injured in the attack.

Patrick said local people were shocked to hear of the murder case and urged
the authorities to bring the culprits to book.

"We cannot allow illegal immigrants to take the law into their own hands.
The government should not compromise on this and must do something to end the
negative perceptions of illegal immigrants in the state.

"Of course, we need foreigners to work in our critical sectors like
plantation and construction but they must come with a proper document and they
must be a displined worker," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak had announced the rounding up of illegal
immigrants in the state numbering between 100,000 and 150,000 a few months ago
as a result of strong protests from Sabahans, and it was immediately launched in
the state capital here.
-- BERNAMA