SABAH Chief Minister Shafie Apdal’s assertion that he is not aware of the revival of the issuance of IMM13 documents is unlikely, according to Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Jeffrey Kitingan.

He said Shafie is making the federal immigration department a scapegoat by blaming them.

As head of the state security council, Shafie would have been briefed on such a major operation.

“Does the federal immigration department not recognise the significance of his role? The immigration department should know their role and responsibilities, and have a standard operating procedure,” said Kitingan.

“By convention, the immigration authorities will never mount such a massive exercise involving illegal immigrants without first consulting the state government.

“The issuance of IMM13 documents was discontinued in 2013 because it was subject to abuse. Why was it suddenly revived few days ago, allegedly without the state government’s knowledge?” he asked.

Shafie has denied any knowledge of the exercise and had instructed the department to cease issuing IMM13 documents.

The original objective of issuing IMM13 documents between 1972 and 1984 was to give safe refuge for political refugees who had fled the war in the southern Philippines.

Kitingan said that the war is long over and hence the issuance of such documents is no longer relevant, and therefore the reissuance of the documents for the children of refugees also does not hold water.

“Based on the video that went viral, a majority of those in the crowd that thronged Wisma Dang Bandang were adults, some well into their 40s and 50s

Due to a huge outcry, the exercise which started two days ago was immediately stopped.

“Obviously Sabahans feel that the issuance of IMM13 to foreigners is a threat to state security and can undermine the sovereignty of the nation,” Kitingan said.

He said if Shafie is not aware of the exercise, then both the directors of the state and federal immigration departments should resign.

“Secondly, why is the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Azis Jamman, not aware of this exercise?”

“After all, the immigration department comes under his ministry. If he too claims to be unaware, then he too should quit,” Kitingan said. – October 14, 2018.