By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 21: The Sarawak government must guard the region’s special position and protect its immigration autonomy to prevent a potential influx of refugees from putting a strain on local services and threatening social harmony, says Malaysia Action Justice and Unity (Maju) co-founder Peter John Jaban.
Peter John voiced these concerns following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to admit 127 Palestinian refugees for medical treatment, which has sparked considerable backlash from netizens.
“Activists and NGOs (none-governmental organisations), including myself, warned of this scenario last November, only to be accused of ‘jumping the gun’.
“Now, despite significant public outcry, the Prime Minister proceeds with his plan. We do not question his humanity, only his priorities. There’s a significant difference between providing aid to Gaza and bringing refugees back to Malaysia, especially when neighbouring Arab nations are refusing their entry,” he said in a statement today.
Peter John hopes that Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will refrain from following Anwar’s lead.
While acknowledging the horrors of the Gaza conflict, Jaban pointed out that the Borneo States’ peaceful environment and unique cultural balance could be disrupted by a sudden influx of refugees.
He highlighted the example of Sabah, where demographic shifts have strained resources and altered the cultural landscape.
“We have 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 but must also ensure that the methods used to achieve that aim are to the benefit of both Malaysians and the victims of wars overseas alike,” he stressed.
He reminded the Sarawak government to focus on Sarawak’s special position and protect the borders, as stipulated by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and essential to the region’s autonomy. — DayakDaily
