Why Sabah IC is Crucial for Sabah and Its People?

Before delving into the significance of Sabah IC, let's briefly examine its history and the proponents behind its inception. Through online research, it is evident that Sabah IC was introduced by the SAPP Party before GE-13 and growing exponentially  during the introduction of the Sabah Alliance.

Sabah IC was first introduced by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) before the 2013 general election and was a focal point in the SAPP Manifesto at that time. Post-GE-13, the Sabah IC agenda continued to be promoted as a mechanism expected to address various issues in Sabah, especially concerning the problem of doubted Citizenship in the state. Throughout this period, the Sabah IC advocacy gained support from other local parties such as STAR, Harapan Rakyat, and is currently endorsed by the GRS leaders.

The issue of fake citizenship is not a new one; it poses a threat to security policies and the rights of indigenous people and original Sabah residents, which are progressively eroding. Native Sabahans also find themselves competing with foreign migrants in the job market, as these migrants are easily manipulated by large companies concerning wages and other employment conditions.

Apart from this issue, the Sabah government has systematically conducted surveys to identify these foreign nationals. However, it is overlooked that there is no dedicated registration system for Original Malaysian Citizens of Sabah, supervised by the Sabah government itself, with a comprehensive policy involving government, opposition, and relevant stakeholders deemed suitable to manage and monitor this registration mechanism.

Additionally, sincerely and respectfully as Sabahans, we have a basis to be concerned about possible threats if there is a conspiracy to send refugees, like the Rohingyas, to Sabah by providing them with Malaysian Identification with Sabah Code. The National Registration Department's database is controlled by the JPN centralized in Peninsular Malaysia, while the Sabah Government lacks a screening or monitoring system to filter the entry of foreigners as genuine Sabah citizens in case of a conspiracy to alter the demographic population in Sabah. If such incidents occur, immigration officers at airports or ports would be powerless if the individuals being examined are registered in the JPN database as Original Malaysian Citizens of Sabah.

We are not making accusations or unfounded assumptions about the existing system. Instead, this is an evaluation of the weaknesses in the system that should be brought to the discussion table to find the best solution for us to progress as a Region and a Nation with a system believed to lead us to the mainstream.

Certainly, when non-original citizens enter Sabah as genuine Sabahans, they will enjoy the privileges associated with their identification cards, and the indigenous people of Sabah will inevitably have to compete with them. Indigenous Sabahans not only have to compete for jobs but also for land, business licenses, educational scholarships, and more. Moreover, socio-economic problems will become a future challenge if not handled optimally.

There are various ways to bring in non-Sabahan citizens for the long term. For instance, they can be sent to oil palm plantations throughout Sabah or to mega projects that take years to complete. Over this duration, these foreign individuals will assimilate with the locals, and it won't be surprising if, after 20 years, their presence in Sabah is no longer questioned.

Therefore, Sabah IC is seen as a solution to the risks and issues mentioned above and should be supported by all layers of society and leaders in Sabah.

If Sarawak also realizes this reality, undoubtedly they will see its benefits if both regions have their own citizen registration systems. This would empower the government to control the entry of foreigners or non-Sarawakian citizens into their region and put an end to assumptions directed at Putrajaya and vice versa.

~Aki