Kota Kinabalu: Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) Secretary-General Willie Jude Junaidi urged the Federal and Sabah governments to address concerns raised by the Kesatuan Perkhidmatan Pegawai Imigresen Sabah (KPPIS).
“The Government must take seriously the concerns raised by KPPIS, as they are the ones on the ground who understand the operational realities at Sabah’s entry points every day,” he said in a statement, following concerns raised by KPPIS over the implementation of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency Act 2024 (Act 860).
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He said Sabah occupies a constitutionally protected position in immigration affairs under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution, pointing out that any new policy must fully respect the State’s autonomous rights before implementation.
“Rolling out Act 860 without clear alignment with MA63 provisions risked creating overlapping powers between Federal agencies and the Sabah Government,” he said, pointing out a situation that could trigger administrative conflicts and potentially expose enforcement officers to legal liability while carrying out their duties.
“If the officers themselves face confusion regarding jurisdiction and uncertainty in standard operating procedures, it can impact the efficiency of enforcement, border security and the integrity of the State’s immigration system,” he said.
He said Sabah’s position is not as opposition to Federal cooperation, but as a defence of constitutionally guaranteed rights.
“Sabah is not rejecting cooperation with the Federation, but what is concerning is any new act that could undermine existing state rights without comprehensive negotiations,” Willie said.
“The autonomy of Sabah’s immigration is part of the foundation of Malaysia’s formation and should not be taken lightly or disregarded under the pretext of administrative coordination,” he added.
