Poor communication led to chaotic flight of illegal Filipinos
The messy deportation of Filipinos in Sabah could be due to lack of communication from Manila as it does not have a consular office in the state to relay to its nationals information on legislation changes, said a spokesperson from the Chief Minister's Department today.
"The repatriation of Indonesian migrant workers had been orderly because Indonesian consular officials started working early to warn their nationals of the new laws. The consular officials organised trips to oil palm estates and issued press statements to inform their nationals," said the spokesperson who declined to be named.
"This gives time for Indonesian workers to apply for work permits. The Indonesian consular officials also regularly briefs the chief minister [Chong Kah Kiat] on their progress."
In contrast, said the spokesperson, there were no similar activities to inform Filipino nationals of the implication of new provisions to the law allowing for caning and jailing of illegals.
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