It's a big problem: Najib

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Sandakan: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak has been appointed to head a committee to resolve the entry of illegal immigrants and stateless people, especially in Sabah.

He said the decision was made as the Federal Government realised Sabah had been saddled with the problem for a long time.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the Youth Week at the national level here Thursday, Najib said he would call for a meeting to discuss the issue soon.

"In Sabah, the problem is rather complex. Some of these immigrants, when they come into our country, they destroy all their documents. Hence, they do not have any documents, but when we want to send them back, their country of origin would not accept them, but we know they should be returned to their own country. So this is a big problem," he said.

When asked whether he believed the problem could be settled, Najib said: "We will do our best but it is not going to be easy because they are intertwined with the local community."

He also said the Federal Government is prepared to approve additional allocation to develop Kinabatangan district according to requirements and affordability.

The Government would find long-term solutions to mitigate the frequent flooding in the interior district.

"Sabah Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Musa Aman) says Kinabatangan needs several millions of ringgit. What is necessary and affordable, we will approve additional allocations for Kinabatangan," he said when speaking at a function to present aid to flood victims in Kinabatangan, Tongod and Lahad Datu districts, later.

According to reports received, Najib said the Kinabatangan district, located about 80km from Sandakan, was among the worst flood-hit areas in the country where floodwaters rise quickly but recede very slowly.

Several infrastructures in Kinabatangan were reported to have been damaged and washed away when floods lashed the district in February.

It is understood that the State Government had identified four areas in Balat, Nusa Jaya, Mengaris and Litang - as resettlement spots for Kinabatangan flood victims. The areas could take in 300 families.

Najib hoped the assistance to 1,004 flood victim families in the three districts totalling RM502,000 would help ease their burden.

Every head of a family received RM250 cash and essentials worth another RM250.

Najib also said the Government wants to see balanced development in Sabah and Sarawak on par with the other states in the peninsula under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Najib said he would get a report from the Customs on Thursday's news report that a Member of Parliament from Melaka had allegedly interfered with investigations conducted by the State Customs into the seizure of sawn timber from Indonesia at Sungai Linggi, Melaka, recently.

"Action could be taken against the MP but the case must be investigated first," he said.

When asked to comment on a proposal by a Penang State Assemblyman that a casino and gaming centre be developed in Pulau Jerejak to attract tourists to the State, Najib said: "We have a policy that we will not have a new casino in the country or issue a licence.

He also said youths who account for 11 million of the 25 million population in Malaysia should change with the times, or they would be left behind.

"Among the changes to be made by the future generation of leaders are to seek for lifelong learning as long as they are still capable," he said, adding youths must also be diligent and courteous as they were the country's assets.