Kota Kinabalu: Putatan Umno Chief Jeffery Nor Mohamed has dismissed negative perceptions circulating on social media that claim the majority of residents on Pulau Gaya are undocumented immigrants, or Pendatang Tanpa Izin (PTI).
He said such portrayals are inaccurate, stressing that available records indicate most residents on the island possess valid citizenship documents.
“Recently, many have expressed negative views about the villages on Pulau Gaya. For your information, the majority of the residents in Pulau Gaya are locals and hold valid documents as citizens of this country,” he said in a social media post on Tuesday.
Jeffery acknowledged, however, that there are still individuals without documentation living on the island, similar to other areas across the state. Nevertheless, he reiterated that statistics show the majority of Pulau Gaya’s population consists of legitimate citizens.
He also highlighted Sabah’s diverse ethnic composition, noting that different communities have distinct settlement patterns.
“Sabah is indeed known for its diverse ethnic groups. Some ethnic groups live by the sea while others reside in the hills, and these differences are reflected in the settlement patterns across the state,” he said.
At the same time, he pointed out the existence of undocumented settlements on Pulau Gaya, adding that several villages on the island have already been officially gazetted.
He stressed that the situation requires immediate attention from the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the state government.
Jeffery further commented on environmental concerns, particularly waste management, describing the issue as somewhat subjective.
He noted that many land-based settlements also face similar challenges with uncontrolled waste disposal.
“Therefore, specific approaches need to be implemented promptly according to the suitability of each settlement,” he said.
He added that, in principle, there is agreement that appropriate action should be taken against individuals without valid personal documentation, and that enforcement should be carried out consistently across the state of Sabah.
