A separate laboratory under the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) for Sabah and Sarawak will be formed soon to deliberate on the possible solution to the problem of illegal immigrants, particularly in Sabah, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Bernard Dompok.

He said the inclusion of the issue of illegal immigrants in the NKRA for the two states underlined the seriousness of the federal government in addressing the problem once and for all.

"Whatever avenue can be utilised should be used for this purpose and it's very beneficial but we need inputs from all on what actions need to be taken (to solve the perennial problem)," he told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year open house hosted by State Assistant Minister of Finance and Moyog assemblyman Donald Mojuntin at the Penampang Community Hall.

 

Dompok, who is also United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) president, was asked to comment on the call by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Joseph Pairin Kitingan yesterday for inclusion of immigration matters and the creation of more job opportunities in the NKRA for Sabah and Sarawak.

In making the call, Pairin said the NKRA Pemandu (Performance Management and Delivery Unit) Committee on the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) in Sabah and Sarawak should conduct research on the need to protect the immigration powers of the two states.

    

There was a need for such a move as Sabah, in particular, was still grappling with the problem of illegal immigrants, said Pairin, who is a Sabah deputy chief minister.

On Wednesday, the NKRA Pemandu Committee on the GTP in Sabah and Sarawak agreed to facilitate five laboratories - covering education, economy, infrastructure, social development, and land and legal matters - to help enhance bumiputera development in the two states.

- Bernama