Lack of political will prolonging Sabah's migrant problem, says ex-CJ Malanjum

KOTA KINABALU - Former Chief Justice Tun Richard Malanjum asserts that Sabah's ongoing undocumented migrant problem persists due to a lack of political will, despite numerous proposals being put forth over the years. These proposals include recalling wrongfully issued identity cards, introducing a distinct Sabah identity card, and a temporary Sabah pass.

Malanjum, a native of Sabah, emphasized that the crucial missing element is not a legal mechanism, but rather the determination to develop one. The book, "Citizenship in Crisis: The Ripple Effect of the Undocumented Migrants in Sabah," authored by Sessions Court judge Dr. Melissa Chia, draws from court cases, Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) proceedings, archival materials from the Sabah Archives and government, and field interviews.

Malanjum pointed out that many foreigners involved in Project IC, which concerns the illegal issuance of Malaysian identity cards to immigrants in Sabah, were never actually granted citizenship, and they and their families remain stateless, facing challenges proving their identity and living under the burden of the National Registration Department and courts.

The RCI suggested creating a permanent secretariat to address the issue, but it never functioned due to a lack of political will. Malanjum believes the problem is unjust to Sabah, as the entire human, fiscal, and social burden is placed on the state. He proposed that if the Federation regularizes any part of this population, it should bear the burden itself and not automatically concentrate them in Sabah, but distribute them proportionately across the other states of Malaysia based on capacity, accompanied by the necessary funding.