KOTA KINABALU: Kimanis member of parliament Datuk Anifah Aman says the federal government’s proposal to set up a special task force on illegal immigrants in the state is unconstitutional.

“The actual power on immigration matters lies with the state government,” he was quoted as saying by an online news portal.

Citing Article 161E(4) of the Federal Constitution, Anifah said immigration matters in Sabah and Sarawak lies with the state authority, the chief minister, to regulate and control.

He said the proper way to handle the illegal immigrants’ issue was to set up a high-profile task force headed by the chief minister while deputy prime minister may play the patron role.

“This would be consistent with Article 161E(4) of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Anifah also dismissed other proposals such as a royal commission or even parliamentary select committee as unconstitutional and inappropriate.

He said a special panel headed by Sabah chief minister, with participation from federal ministers, was the only constitutional step towards solving the state’s long-standing illegal immigrants’ problem.

As such, he said, the federal government’s move to set up a high-level task force headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, as announced by the prime minister recently as part of a package designed to appease Sabahans, went against the Federal Constitution.

Anifah, the powerful Umno MP seen as a key player in the battle for support of East Malaysian legislators, was backing Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) sentiments in relation to Sabahans’ unhappiness with the BN federal government, but stopped short of backing SAPP’s decision to support a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

He suggested that the federal home affairs minister should also sit on the special panel to advise on the findings and recommendations.

Anifah said the high number of illegal immigrants in the state was a long-standing issue which Sabahans are unhappy with and expect help from the federal government to solve.

— Bernama