KOTA KINABALU: Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) president Datuk Frankie Liew and Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe have urged all parties to remain vigilant against the abuse of tourist or social visa-free entry for illegal employment in Sabah, warning it could disrupt the labour market and harm legitimate businesses.
The call was made during a courtesy visit by an SCCC delegation led by Liew to Phoong, who is also former Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, where both sides exchanged views on Sabah–China economic cooperation, industrial development and talent cultivation.
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Phoong said he has maintained close engagement with SCCC leadership in promoting Sabah–China trade, investment and industrial development, and reiterated his industrial-led prosperity approach that prioritises technical talent development, innovation-driven manufacturing and the use of new technologies to upgrade infrastructure for sustainable growth.
He also reiterated the need to stay alert to individuals exploiting visa-free entry for illegal employment, saying such actions could negatively affect the local workforce and business environment.
During the visit, the SCCC reappointed Phoong as its honorary advisor and invited him to the swearing-in ceremony of the Chamber’s 3rd Council on March 16 here, with Liew praising his role in strengthening Sabah–China ties, including organising the Sabah–China Business Summit and leading business delegations to China.
