State Govt 'no' to PR move

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS , 18th July 2007


Keningau: The State Government has objected a move to automatically grant Permanent Residence (PR) status to foreigners who are holders of IMM13 or Filipino refugees in Sabah.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said he had conveyed the State Government's stand on the matter to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz.
"I told him that the State Government must be consulted first in whatever action to be taken by the Federal Government (on this matter) before any action is taken," he said.

Speaking after opening the Keningau Umno Annual Delegates Conference at the Library Auditorium here, Tuesday, Musa said Nazri was agreeable to the State Government's stand. He was also glad that his Barisan Nasional (BN) colleagues shared similar stand. Musa made the announcement in his speech which was met with thunderous applause from the delegates.
"I have contacted him (Nazri) to tell him that I disagree with the proposal to give PR to IMM13 holders," he said.

Meanwhile, Musa who is also an Umno Supreme Council member and Sabah Umno liaison chief expressed gladness to see the strength and solid unity displayed by the BN here.

He said this was reflected by the presence of the various BN component leaders from the district, amongst others Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Secretary General Datuk Radin Malleh and Bingkor Assemblyman Justin Guka from United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Organisation (Upko).

"It is important for Umno to continue to cooperate in fulfilling our responsibility to the people," he said, adding this was also part of the recipe success for Umno to remain in existence for a long time.

He reiterated that the people must not be hoodwinked by the opposition, especially Parti Keadilan Rakyat, because they are made up of "people who are disappointed".