Kota Kinabalu: Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee called on Manila to establish a dedicated facilitation centre in Sabah to safeguard the rights, welfare, and interests of all Filipinos residing here, especially those without valid travel or immigration documents.
He emphasised that such a facility would serve both directly and indirectly as a critical safeguard, preventing innocent Filipinos, many of whom travel or migrate through informal maritime routes across the Sulu Sea, from falling prey to unscrupulous syndicates, illegal recruiters and human traffickers who continue to operate actively in the region.
Yong stressed, however, that the proposed semi-official facilitation centre should be operated and managed by reputable non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or qualified private entities, rather than run directly by government agencies, and must function under formal collaboration, oversight, and mutual approval from both the Philippine and Malaysian authorities.
Sabah is home to one of the largest concentrations of Filipinos in Malaysia, estimated at several hundred thousand of whom roughly huge figure are undocumented, overstaying, or hold no formal legal status.
Many originally fled conflict, poverty, or instability in Mindanao, the Sulu archipelago and southern Philippines from the 1970s onwards, while others arrived seeking better livelihood opportunities.
Without proper documentation, they remain highly vulnerable like exposed to exploitation, low-wage labour abuse, unsafe working conditions, arbitrary arrest, detention, deportation, or being lured by false job offers that often lead to forced labour, debt bondage, or sexual exploitation — patterns repeatedly documented by Philippine immigration and anti-trafficking agencies.
“At present, assistance available is limited and scattered, provided only occasionally by consular missions from Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
There is no permanent, accessible, trusted point-of-contact where Filipinos — including those without papers — can seek help, advice, documentation support, legal aid, or protection,” Yong explained.
“This gap is exactly what traffickers and illegal operators exploit. By setting up the centre, we create a safe, recognised channel — people will no longer be forced to rely on smugglers or middlemen just to find work, travel, or resolve their status.”
Yong said the proposed centre’s key functions would include:
- Providing guidance on legal migration procedures, proper documentation, and regularisation options;
- Assisting in securing emergency travel documents, consular services, or repatriation support when needed;
- Running awareness programmes to warn against illegal recruitment, trafficking risks, and fraudulent job offers;
- Acting as a referral hub for healthcare, education, and basic welfare aid;
- Serving as neutral liaison between Filipino communities, Malaysian state and federal authorities; and representatives from the Philippines.
Yong said the model — run by civil society or private sector — would ensure greater trust and accessibility, especially among undocumented individuals who fear approaching official government offices directly.
“It must operate with full recognition from both governments so its work is legitimate, protected, and fully compliant with Malaysian laws and regulations,” he added.
He noted the move would also bring wider benefits to Sabah in reducing undocumented migration-related issues, improving public order, strengthening bilateral cooperation, and ensuring Filipino migrants — who contribute significantly to Sabah’s agriculture, fisheries, construction, and service sectors — are treated fairly and humanely.
“This is not about encouraging illegal entry — quite the opposite. It is about regulation, protection, and dignity. When people have safe avenues and proper guidance, illegal trafficking networks lose their business and their power,” Yong said.
He urged Manila to seriously consider the proposal, noting that similar community-led centres had proven successful in other parts of Southeast Asia in reducing vulnerability and protecting migrant rights.
