The government should make a firm stand in handling issues pertaining to illegal immigrants in the country, including those in Sabah, says Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.

He said immigrants should not be allowed to come into the country and leave as they pleased as the laws of the country should be respected.

On the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on illegal immigrants in Sabah which was announced recently, he said:

"Report is a report. But I think all of us must address the RCI report with an open mind. If you ask me, we should be very firm on illegal immigrants," he said.

Abdul Gani was speaking to reporters after attending a soft-launch of the Sabah branch of the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

Chief Secretary to the Government, Ali Hamsa had announced the RCI report on Dec 3 in Kota Kinabalu.

Nevertheless, Abdul Gani reminded all parties to respect the rights of both legal and illegal immigrants and not abuse them.

On the government's decision to maintain the Sedition Act 1948 and proposal to strengthening it, he said he would present his views to the government and he was sure it would decide what was good for the people, after listening to various views.

On YBGK's latest development, Abdul Gani, who is also the foundation's chairman, said as of August this year, the foundation had handled about 240,000 cases nationwide involving Malaysians seeking legal assistance.

The foundation was established in 2011.

- Bernama