I refer to 'Dismantle immigration controls on Malaysians in Sarawak' (Nov 2) by Anak Malaysia. As a Malaysian from Sabah, I strongly urge Sarawakians to hold on to whatever 'rights' that they have at the moment.

The people of Sarawak should learn from the mistake of the people of Sabah. I am a strong supporter of the Barisan Nasional government and I favour strong national integration. However, we should remember that certain state rights should not be sacrificed in the name of "national integration".

The statistic reported by the Borneo Post which was referred to by Anak Malaysia should be viewed in its right perspective. True, there are more than 10,000 Sarawakians and Sabahans in Peninsular Malaysia, but they are not migrating or settling down there.

Most of them are there to work as factory workers, security guards and general labourers. These people were recruited by employers on the peninsula who realised that recruiting Sarawakians and Sabahans for the menial jobs are cheaper than hiring foreigners. In other words, they come over to Peninsular Malaysia to take jobs rejected by peninsula residents.

While I can understand Anak Malaysia's frustration for Sarawak's control over immigration, it should be remembered that these safeguards are for the benefit of the Sarawakian people.

Just look at Sabah, who surrendered its special rights over immigration matters years ago. Sabahans now have to compete with the better-educated peninsula residents for jobs in both the private and public sectors.

Not surprisingly, most of the jobs in Sabah's federal departments now, especially officer posts, are held by people from the peninsula.

Do you know Malaysians from the peninsula account for more than 50 percent teachers and 80 percent principals in Sabah's secondary schools?

Almost all of the federal departments and agencies, including the Immigration Department, in Sabah are headed by Malaysians from the peninsula. And it is a well-known fact that many of them settle down in Sabah after their services.

On the other hand, do you know of any Sabahan or Sarawakian who has ever become a director-general of any ministry in Malaysia?

It is equally worse in the private sectors. Most of the federal-funded projects in Sabah and Sarawak are being given to KL-based companies. It is a common knowledge, at least in Sabah, that most of these companies only employ the locals for the menial jobs whereas most of the people for the"office-based" jobs are "imported" from the peninsula.

In one of the federal projects, even the lorry (with a Selangor plate number) together with the driver were 'imported' from West Malaysia. Is it really true that not even one Sabahan is good enough to be a lorry driver?

Given the above scenario and discriminations, the only available means for the state government to ensure that the locals are given a fair chance of employment is through immigration controls i.e. issuance of work permits.

"National integration" is in itself a "mini globalisation" within Malaysia and as we all know, not everything about globalisation is good. As Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said, "If we open the window to let in fresh air, and the mosquitos, bears and tigers also come in, we should let that window remain closed and instead, open the window on the first floor."