MOST Sabah reps and MPs said registered migrants in Sabah should be given some kind of documentation along with some limited privileges.

Kapayan Assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang said it is time for Sabah to deal with the realities of the issue that some of the migrants could no longer return home and therefore, should be documented, but not given citizenship and voting rights.

“Before giving any kind of documentation, we should hold a truth and reconciliation session to allow people to understand our rationale,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

As many as half a million migrants are in Sabah, with about 55,000 possessing IMM13 passes, while others have other documents.

The numbers could be higher as there are still undocumented migrants who had entered Sabah illegally and other stateless persons.

Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fat said he had met hundreds of people without proper papers and the time has come for Sabah to document them.

“There are thousands of them here. They can’t go to school and they can’t work.

“We can’t marginalise them forever, they will become part of the social problems in the state,” said Tan, adding that the documents should not be limited to IMM13 holders but also to other documents issued by other agencies previously.

Earlier, Deputy Home Minister Azis Jamman proposed documentation for the migrants, saying their numbers need to be properly recorded and their identities profiled.

However, he said the state needs strong political will to resolve the state’s migrant issue and accused opposition politicians of wanting status quo so it could be exploited for political mileage.

Moyog assemblyman Jennifer Lasimbang said Sabah is going to lose out if it doesn’t act fast.

“We have to register them. But not necessary giving them citizenship.

“Once you properly profile them and have a biometric recognition, the authorities would be able to track them and know their whereabouts.

“From here, we could offer them jobs and let their children go to schools,” said Jennifer, adding that the migrants need to find work to avoid criminal activities. – November 16, 2018.