Focus Malaysia:
“Sarawak must safeguard its immigration autonomy to address prospect of Palestinian refugee influx”
PROMINENT activist Peter John Jaban has urged the Sarawak state government to guard its immigration autonomy as the first wave of injured Palestinian and their family members has landed at the Subang Air Force base last Friday (Aug 16).
While the decision by Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim to accommodate 127 Palestinian citizens, including 41 injured as a result of Israeli attacks at the Gaza Strip to seek medical treatment has sparked widespread debate, it is pressing in Sarawak where infrastructure has been under-funded by the Federal government for decades.
“Activists and NGOs have warned against this eventuality in November last year, only to be accused of ‘jumping the gun’,” berated Jaban who is also the Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity (MAJU) co-founder.
“Now we see our PM going ahead anyway to a great deal of public outcry. We do not question the PM’s humanity, only his priorities.
“We believe that there is a great difference between providing aid in Gaza itself and bringing the refugees back to Malaysia, especially given neighbouring Arab nations having refused their entry. We hope that Abang Jo (Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) will not follow his lead for Sarawak.”
Jaban further expressed concern that an influx of Palestinian refugees – should that happen – would not only put a strain on social services but could also threaten social harmony among Borneo folks.
“The Palestinians bring with them a very different culture which would threaten our own Sarawak Malay culture and its close relations with the other races in Borneo,” asserted the Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration information and publicity chief.
“Abang Jo should keep in the mind the example of Sabah where the demographic balance of the state was fundamentally altered.”
At the moment, Jaban contended that Sarawak has a small population with a unique cultural balance and strained resources in health and education.
“Of course, we all want to help anyone threatened by conflict on humanitarian grounds but we must first ensure that the methods used to achieve that aim are to the benefit of both Malaysians and the victims of wars overseas alike,” he opined.
“In this case, our PM is willing to go ahead with his agenda and his open support for Hamas which is internationally recognised as a terrorist organisation regardless of public outcry.”
Added Jaban: “We call on Abang Jo once again to focus on Sarawak’s special position and protect our borders. This is our safeguard under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which is an essential element of our autonomy.” – Aug 21, 2024
Jaban further expressed concern that an influx of Palestinian refugees – should that happen – would not only put a strain on social services but could also threaten social harmony among Borneo folks.
“The Palestinians bring with them a very different culture which would threaten our own Sarawak Malay culture and its close relations with the other races in Borneo,” asserted the Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration information and publicity chief.
“Abang Jo should keep in the mind the example of Sabah where the demographic balance of the state was fundamentally altered.”
At the moment, Jaban contended that Sarawak has a small population with a unique cultural balance and strained resources in health and education.
“Of course, we all want to help anyone threatened by conflict on humanitarian grounds but we must first ensure that the methods used to achieve that aim are to the benefit of both Malaysians and the victims of wars overseas alike,” he opined.
“In this case, our PM is willing to go ahead with his agenda and his open support for Hamas which is internationally recognised as a terrorist organisation regardless of public outcry.”
Added Jaban: “We call on Abang Jo once again to focus on Sarawak’s special position and protect our borders. This is our safeguard under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which is an essential element of our autonomy.” – Aug 21, 2024
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