Sarawak is in serious danger of becoming the “second Sabah” with problems of illegal immigrants if the immigration department continues to have a lackadaisical attitude in tackling the Suluk people who have overstayed here for two years, state DAP organising secretary Violet Yong said.

“If the state immigration officers continue to have lackadaisical attitude, I believe Sarawak will become the second Sabah when these illegal immigrants continue to multiply.

“In the last two years there existed already in Miri a Suluk village of about 600 to 700 inhabitants,” the Pending assemblyperson said when commenting on the statement by immigration department director Robert Lian.

Robert was quoted by local dailies as saying that the Suluk people had already landed especially in Miri and their family members have started coming over to settle down.

This was the normal situation happening on the ground, he said, adding that the public has been coming forward to give information on their presence.

Immigration officers are scared

Robert said that the department could not simply take action because the immigration officers were scared of these people as they are said to be aremed with weapons.

“I am surprised and shocked with the statement made by the director. Obviously, the department has failed in its duty by turning a blind eye and ignoring the rights and safety of the local people,” said Violet ( right ).

She said that it was very irresponsible of him to pass such a remark as it shows he was not fit to hold the post.

The Suluks has been staying illegally in Miri for the past two years, she said, pointing out that if they were scared then they should work closely with the police to tackle the problem.

“You cannot say that since they have weapons, then you don’t do anything about it. These people will continue to multiply until the situation becomes out of control.

“It is a matter of time before we face the same problems Sabah is now facing,” she added.

She was curious to note that the department was very “efficient” when it came to bar the opposition leaders from entering the state, but when it came to the problems affecting the security and the

rights of the people, it looks like the officers are redundant or could not do much.

Efficient against opposition

“I really give my thumbs up for their efficiency against opposition leaders,” she said rather cynically.

According to Violet, the chief minister Adenan Satem ( right ) had scolded the immigration officers during a recent meeting with them for allowing the problem to linger on and told them to buck up.

She said from the statement given by Robert, it was obvious that the department also ignored the call made by the chief minister to do something against the illegals.

Since the department was under the control of the state, Violet suggested that the chief minister take action against the “deadwood” in the department.

“Change them and transfer them and get those who are serious in tackling problems into the department.

“We are scared we may lose control of the state,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police Muhammad Sabtu Osman said that the police and other enforcement agencies were monitoring the activities of the Suluk illegal immigrants as well as preventing the influx of more of them into state.

He gave assurance to the people that the illegal immigrants would not pose a threat like in Sabah.

He said that various agencies are now organising roadblocks at strategic places near the border for monitoring and inspection purposes.