Sabahans entering Sarawak will have to follow the current procedures, and the proposal to allow them free entry will not be implemented without careful study.

Native Land Development Assistant Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn (photo) said this included a thorough study of social and geopolitical factors.

“The issue of refugees and illegal immigrants who were in Sabah before this must also be considered,” he said at the Question and Answer session at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly in Kuching today.

He was responding to a question by Ali Biju (PKR-Krian), who wanted to know the Sarawak government’s policy on the proposed free entry for Sabahans to Sarawak as stated by Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg recently.

Roland, however, insisted that Abang Johari never issued any statement to relax the rules for Sabahans to enter Sarawak.

“Sabahans must use passports, restricted travel documents or ICs (identification card) to enter Sarawak. The Immigration Department’s inspection procedure at the entrance and issuance of appropriate passes still stands,” he said.

- Bernama