PETALING JAYA: There is an estimated 440,000 foreigners in Sabah, comprising 230,000 legal migrant workers, 80,000 Filipino refugees and 130,000 illegal immigrants, according to Sabah Chief Minister Musa Hj Aman.

This figure is much lower than unofficial estimates that put the number of illegal migrants alone several times higher than this. It is widely known than in Sandakan alone, the number of migrant is twice that of the local population.

Aman Musa said while not widely publicized, the arrests of illegal immigrants was ongoing, whereby in 2007, a total of 26,332 illegal migrant were arrested. Some 18,707 were deported and up to March this year, while 5,256 more were nabbed and 4,089 repatriated, the New Sabah Times (29 May) reported him saying.

Musa told reporters after the state cabinet meeting Wednesday that the capacity of the temporary detention centres will be increased through the expansion of the centre in Tawau and the construction of two more to be completed by end of the year. With the completion of these centres together with the existing ones, is expected to be able to accommodate 10,000 detainees at any one time, Musa said.

He said to effectively overcome the problem of illegal immigrants, the government also required the cooperation of everyone especially those who employ migrant workers.

Musa said it He said the issue of illegal immigrants largely stemmed from migrant workers who came in legally in the beginning but did not return home after their work permit expired.

To make matters worse, the employers continued to employ them and paid their salaries despite their illegal status.

“So employers too have contributed to their presence here,” he said. In view of this the government is urging employers to be more responsible and give their cooperation in resolving the issue of illegal immigrants by employing only documented workers. (MySinchew)