Kota Kinabalu: Warisan Vice President Datuk Junz Wong (pic) welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive for a nationwide crackdown on foreigners abusing tourist and student visas to engage in illegal business activities, saying the move validates concerns that Sabahans have been raising for decades.
Wong said the Prime Minister’s announcement is both timely and necessary, but stressed that Sabah’s challenges go far beyond recent concerns involving the abuse of visa-free facilities.
“For many Sabahans, this is not a new problem. Long before the visa-free policy became a public issue, concerns had already been raised over foreigners operating businesses through proxy arrangements, licence leasing, questionable documentation and various loopholes that enabled them to compete unfairly with local traders,” he said in statement, Tuesday.
The Tanjung Aru Assemblyman noted that concerns over foreign domination of certain retail sectors, particularly sundry shops in rural and suburban areas, have persisted for decades and have repeatedly been highlighted by community leaders, elected representatives and local business operators.
“In recent weeks, my colleague, Usukan Assemblywoman Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, rightly raised concerns over the continued presence of foreign-operated businesses allegedly using local names and licences as fronts while local entrepreneurs struggle to survive.
“These concerns deserve serious attention because the issue is not merely about business competition. It is about protecting opportunities for Sabahans to participate meaningfully in their own economy,” he stressed.
Wong said the recent emergence of foreign nationals openly advertising renovation, plumbing and other professional services on social media has heightened public concern, but cautioned against focusing on any particular nationality.
“Whether the offenders are from China, Pakistan or any other country, the principle must remain the same. Sabah welcomes genuine tourists, investors and businesses that comply with our laws. What we cannot accept is the abuse of immigration facilities, business licences or local nominees to circumvent the law,” he said.
He said the Prime Minister’s directive provides an opportunity for Sabah authorities to address longstanding complaints involving foreign-run businesses, including licence lending, proxy ownership and operations allegedly conducted without proper permits.
Wong stressed that enforcement should also target local facilitators.
“Those who rent out licences, act as nominees, facilitate illegal business activities or profit from such arrangements must also be held accountable. Without local facilitators, many of these operations would not be possible,” he added.
He also backed the Prime Minister’s call for a coordinated approach involving immigration, local authorities, tax agencies, financial regulators and enforcement bodies.
“Enforcement cannot be seasonal or reactionary. It must be consistent, coordinated and sustained if we are serious about protecting local livelihoods and upholding the rule of law,” he stressed. Wong said Sabahans are not seeking protectionism, but fairness.
“They are simply asking for a level playing field where everyone is subject to the same laws, the same licensing requirements and the same enforcement standards.
“If the Federal Government has finally acknowledged the seriousness of this issue, then now is the time for Sabah to confront and resolve the longstanding problems that have been affecting local businesses for far too long,” he said.
