KUCHING, Nov 13: Sarawak social activist Peter John Jaban has expressed concern over the possible entry of Hamas followers among asylum seekers from Palestine which could lead to turning Sabah and Sarawak into the next Gaza.
While the whole world is horrified by what had happened to Palestinian civilians as the victims of war, he pointed out that Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s insistence in maintaining his support for Hamas is a different matter.
“Anwar’s continuing support for Hamas in particular suggests that there will be little attempt or requirement to properly vet any asylum seekers from Palestine.
“This risks entry by radicalised and violent factions who could disturb the social fabric of moderate and multicultural Malaysia.
“This issue is all the more pressing in Sarawak, the only non-Muslim majority State in the country, also recently identified as one of the poorest states in the Federation,” he said in a statement today.
Following this, Peter John who is also the publicity and information chief of Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration, has called upon the Sarawak government to guard its immigration autonomy carefully in light of the possible influx of refugees from Palestine, adding that Sarawak should not follow the federal administration blindly.
“Any suggestion that Hamas members could gain asylum in Malaysia should be rejected, especially by the Sarawak government.
“If their Arab neighbours continue to deny them asylum, then what business does Malaysia have in going against global policy?
“Regardless, if Anwar insists on isolating himself, Sarawak should not follow blindly. This is the reason we retained our immigration autonomy; so that we could retain our own character and individuality and protect our own economic development.
“Support for a terrorist organisation cannot be part of that,” he elaborated.
Peter John’s call was echoed by Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) president Daniel John Jambun who reminded Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to do the same by tightening their immigration laws, stating that Sabah is already swarmed with illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries squatting illegally in 543 colony spread throughout the State.
Additionally, the statement above was collectively supported by 12 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from Sabah and Sarawak, namely Gabungan Orang Asal Sabah/Sarawak (GOASS), BoPiMaFo, Independent Coalition of Natives Sarawak (ICON), Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo, Pertubuhan kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah, Persatuan Pembangunan Sosial Komuniti Sabah (BANGUN), Persatuan Etnik Dayak Asal Sarawak, Gerempung Raban Dayak Sarawak, Persatuan Veteran Tentera Kor Renjer, Persatuan Komuniti Bersatu Kanibongang Pitas, Forum Masyarakat Adat Dataran Tinggi Borneo (FORMADAT), Human Rights Activist Sabah, and Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ). – DayakDaily
