Its secretary-general Nelson Angang, who chaired the discussion, said although it did not completely allay all their fears, it was a good starting point to clear the confusion surrounding the PSS.
He said the National Security Council (MKN) – the implementing body of the PSS – did its best to explain, although not going into too much detail, about who are eligible for the PSS and the challenges faced in deporting illegal immigrants to their countries of origin.
Angang said the anger and confusion over the PSS stemmed from a lack of communication between the authorities and the people.
He said the participants at the roundtable discussion were now able to distinguish the difference between illegal immigrants and immigrants allowed to stay here legally.
“The holders of the IMM13 refugee cards, Kad Burung-Burung and census certificate (who will be issued the PSS) are not illegal immigrants. They are allowed to stay in Sabah legally, they have refugee status,” he said.
On the other hand, Angang said, the MKN explained that illegal immigrants were those without any documents or travel papers, who would be arrested, charged, jailed and deported.
“The PSS will not be given to illegal immigrants. Once the people understand the difference, the anger and confusion will subside,” he said.
Those present at today’s discussion included members of political parties and representatives from the Chief Minister’s Department, Sabah MKN, Immigration Department and the state attorney-general’s office.
Among them were Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau, who is also the Upko president, as well as members from PKR, DAP and Amanah.
The opposition parties present included Liberal Democratic Party, Sabah Progressive Party and Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri. Bersih and Gabungn NGO Negeri Sabah were also represented.
Angang said it was a “missed opportunity” for Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), which did not turn up for the discussion.
PBS had said there was no point in attending a forum with a “foregone conclusion”, and STAR did not send a representative although it had accepted the invitation.