Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Youth’s criticism of undocumented immigrants in Sabah has been met with sharp rebuke from Wira Warisan Chief Terence Au.
Terrence points to a significant increase in the undocumented immigrant population in Sabah, from 810,410 in 2020 to 1,043,400 in 2024 – a rise of 232,900 in just four years – occurring while SAPP was part of the ruling GRS coalition.
He argued that SAPP’s concerns about Sabah’s security are undermined by their own inaction during this period of substantial population growth.
Terrence dismissed SAPP Youth’s focus on a minor, non-binding 2019 note issued by Warisan President Datuk Seri Dhafie Apdal regarding citizenship applications as a distraction from the larger issue of the escalating undocumented immigrant population.
Shafie was then the Chief Minister who wrote a support letter for an illegal immigrant’s citizenship application.
He further criticizes SAPP for deflecting blame by referencing past controversies, including the 1999 Likas case involving phantom voters, and the “Project IC” mass issuance of identity cards.
Terrence called for all parties to focus on addressing the current surge in undocumented immigrants rather than engaging in political point-scoring.