Zahid outlines terms of reference for Sabah illegal immigrant committees

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid today outlined the terms of reference (ToR) for the two committees set up to act on the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah.

For the Working Committee chaired by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, there are five ToRs.

The committee will evaluate the RCI's findings for purposes of future improvement, study public feedback and complaints, and the local community's views from forums and consultations on the management of foreigners in Sabah.

It will submit recommendations to the Permanent Committee, on handling the issue, under the provisions of existing laws and regulations.

The working committee will prepare an action plan to resolve the issue, taking into consideration the social, economical, security and other aspects.

Zahid said the Sabah Federal Secretary and Sabah State secretary would serve as joint secretary for the working committee.

For the permanent committee chaired jointly by the Home Minister and Sabah Chief Minister, there are three ToRs.

The committee will study the recomendations and improvement proposals submitted by the working committee and bring them to the cabinet, and to monitor the implementation of the cabinet's decision.

The working committee comprised the Home ministry, Immigration Department, National Registration Department (NRD), Chief Minister's Department (CMD), National Security Council (NSC) and Federal Special Taskforce.

Also incuded in the working committee are the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), Defence Ministry, Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Sabah Ports Authority, Federal Territories Ministry, State Attorney General's Chambers and other relevant agencies.

Members of the permanent Committee are the Home Ministry secretary general, Human Resource Ministry secretary general, academicians, non governmental organisations, Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), NSC, Attorney General's Chambers, Finance Ministry, Election Commission and Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission.

Also included in the permanent committee are the Home Ministry, Immigration director general, NRD director general, Foreign Ministry , Education Ministry, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, National Unity and Integration Department, CMD, ESSCom, and Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

Zahid said the Sabah federal secretary and Sabah state secretary would jointly serve as its secretary. Meanwhile, the minister disclosed that the two committees held their first meeting, unofficially, today.