Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Government has decided to postpone the implementation of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) in the state until clear assurances are obtained that Sabah’s immigration autonomy will not be undermined.
Sabah Chief Minister, Hajiji Noor, said the decision was made following a Sabah Cabinet meeting which reviewed current issues related to the implementation of AKPS, including legal and operational aspects concerning immigration control at the state’s entry points.
He said the implementation of AKPS would assume the role currently carried out by the Sabah branch of the Immigration Department at Sabah’s entry points. However, the State Authority would not have direct control over the agency, but only through the Sabah State Immigration Director as provided under Subsection 6(3) of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency Act 2024 (Act 860).
He added that the state government had also identified inconsistencies between Act 860 and the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), which could potentially affect the smoothness and effectiveness of enforcement duties at Sabah’s entry points.
“The immigration autonomy granted to Sabah and Sarawak is a non-negotiable right because the formation of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is subject to the establishment of immigration autonomy for both states,” he said in a media statement issued today.
In this regard, he stressed that the state government would continue to defend Sabah’s special rights and immigration autonomy to ensure the state’s constitutional safeguards remain fully protected.
He said the postponement of the AKPS implementation was also aimed at ensuring there would be no erosion of the State Authority’s powers in matters relating to Sabah’s immigration affairs.
