Two reporters of TransMedia’s Kontroversi programme, masquerading as Indonesians looking for work in Sabah, crossed the border illegally from Nunukan island to Tawau with relative ease.
A 10-minute news video of their crossing is now being shared on Facebook, WhatsApp and local blog sites, according to a report in Malay Mail Online.
The report said the ease with which foreigners could enter Sabah had raised alarm over the purported ineffectiveness of Sabah’s security forces.
Many Malaysians, after sharing the video, have expressed unhappiness, especially since so much money has been poured into the Eastern Sabah Security Command. They feel embarrassed.
The video alleges that hundreds of Indonesians from South Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Timur cross the border through the same passage daily via Pari Pari port in Nunukan.
All they need to do is pay off security officials between RM50 and RM100, according to the report.
The video claims Indonesians also enter Sabah illegally through back access roads such as Kalabakan, Sungai Udin and Sungai Fui.
“It’s an open secret here,” said Sri Tanjung Assemblyman Chan Foong Hin of the DAP.
He said locals have known about the alternate entry for years, according to the Malay Mail Online report.
Moyog Assemblyman Terrence Siambun said the government must investigate how the maritime waters were so easily breached.
The Sabah PKR vice-chief was quoted as saying that he was “shocked” watching the video about “how our corrupted security enforcement personnel were easily bribed (for) between RM50 and RM100 in order to let the Indonesians pass through our beloved Sabah’s border”.
He urged for action against those involved.
He said the volume of immigrants had increased tenfold over the years and had contributed to the huge population jump in the state.
Siambun said Chief Minister Musa Aman, who chairs the Sabah Security Council, should take personal responsibility for the failure to protect Sabah’s sovereignty.
“They cannot simply wash their hands and leave everything to the police,” he was quoted as saying.
Tawau police chief assistant commissioner Fadil Marsus said police were investigating the security personnel involved.
“We will take action against any misconduct,” he was quoted as saying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoHrXNRFOzM