Kota Kinabalu: Filipino refugees flooded the State Immigration's Special Unit Office at Wisma Dang Bandang here for the IMM13 pass since applications for it re-opened on Oct 1. "From Oct 1, children of IMM13 card holders who have birth record with the National Registration Department are allowed to register for the IMM13 pass," said State Immigration Director Datuk Musa Sulaiman, Thursday. He said the issuance of the IMM13 pass for children of Filipino refugees (who fled to Sabah following the civil war in the Philippines in the late 1960s and 70s) was stopped in 2013 due to security concerns, among others, following the Kampung Tanduo (Lahad Datu) intrusion incident.
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There are currently a total of 55,000 IMM13 holders in Sabah. Musa was commenting on video clips circulated on social media showing people surging into the Wisma Dang Bandang office.
One of the clips showed a crowd rushing into the compound the moment the gates were opened. It was understood that the crowd gathered outside the gates very early in the morning, making it difficult for those working in the premises to enter. Referring to the viral videos, Musa urged those involved to take it easy to avoid accidents or unwanted incidents.
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"There is actually no need for you all (IMM13 holders) to go running every day because there is no deadline to have your children registered for the pass," he said.
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He said the rules were strict and only those with complete, original and genuine supporting documents, including the child's birth records, are allowed to apply.
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"(Applications from) those whose parents are not IMM13 holders, or whose children do not have the documents needed, will not be entertained," Musa added. - Sherell Jeffrey
