Kota Kinabalu: Indonesian workers in Sabah, especially those originating from West Sulawesi and nearby areas, will have better access when renewing travel documents and applying for other consular requirements before end of year.
“With the introduction of the Sulawesi-Lahad Datu ferry service on Dec 9, our countrymen working and residing in Sabah, particularly Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sandakan areas, will be given easy and convenient access to update passports and consular requirements, including easy access to return home for holiday purposes,” said West Sulawesi Governor Zudan Arif Fakrulloh.
Zudan, together with Polewali Mayor Andi Ibrahim Masdar and 20 other delegates, arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on Thursday evening from Brunei Darussalam.
He expressed optimism that the number of Indonesian undocumented/illegal immigrants in Sabah will be reduced significantly with the soon-to-be operational new sea connectivity between Sabah and West Sulawesi.
“It is our desire to eradicate once and for all the presence of Indonesian illegal immigrants in Sabah…The Indonesian Government is doing its utmost to discourage countrymen to leave the country without proper travel documents,” he stressed.
“Our government is serious in provide protection to people seeking employment abroad. We want all Indonesians, particularly originating from West Sulawesi, to be legally employed in Malaysia.”
On his part, Andi said there were more than 3,000 workers from Polewali Mandar employed in Felda area alone, recorded few years ago.
“Many of our people who entered Sabah illegally could hardly return home because of documentation problem and lack of transportation… we are working closely with the Malaysian authorities to address the problem, so our affected countrymen will be able to return home safely and apply for proper travel documents before going back to their respective Malaysian employers,” he said.
According to Andi, the introduction of the Sulawesi-Lahad Datu ferry services will in many ways help address the perennial illegal problem in Sabah.
“Surely, the ferry services will create win-win solution for both borders,” he added.
Both Zudan and Andi are happy to note that Malaysia has agreed to allow M/V Catthleya Express to operate not only in Lahad Datu but also the Sandakan route.
The Governor and Mayor, in unison, also said this development will tremendously boost trade, investment and economic activities in the region.
Catthleya Express owner cum CEO Rudi Effendi confirmed that the maiden voyage is scheduled on Dec 9.
“M/V Catthleya Express will set sail from Polewali Port to Lahad Datu on Dec 9… we are expecting some 500 passengers in the maiden voyage, mostly coming from West Sulawesi,” he said.