We still need Pinoy workers, but legally — Malaysian exec

KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia — Filipino workers are still very much needed in this labor-strapped East Malaysian state despite the ongoing massive crackdown on illegal migrants here that has seen the deportation of close to 6,000 Filipinos since February.

At least 3,000 more Filipinos, who have sneaked into Sabah, mostly from Western Minda—nao, are expected to be sent home in the following months.

Indonesians and Bangladeshis are also affected by the crackdown on illegal aliens in Malaysia.

Close to 500,000 Filipinos are reportedly in East Malaysia. Most of them had come here without proper documents and aboard pumpboats that had sailed from either Tawi-Tawi or Sulu to any of Malaysia’s border islands.

"We need these Filipino workers. But we want these laborers to come in legally. We need them in our agricultural plantations, in our timber industry and even in our construction sector," said Datu Thomas Lau Chi Keong, deputy president of the Sandakan Municipal Council.

He said Filipinos wanting to work in Malaysia should first comply with the documentary requirements so their rights could be amply protected.

"We are in a certain phase in our development where much work has to be done in the various projects that we have included in our five-year plan," said Lau, whose position is equivalent to a Filipino vice mayor.

He told The STAR that despite the existing need for foreign labor, the ongoing crackdown by the state and federal government would continue.

Beside the random arrests and deportation of illegal aliens, authorities have also demolished their shanties in various kampung air (water villages) here.

Lau said the shanties have to be dismantled to give way to several projects, including the development of a new waterfront township in Sandakan and in other areas in East Malaysia.

Last April 3, 850 Filipino deportees arrived at the Zamboanga City port. This was followed by another batch of 100 Filipinos two days after. All deportees arrived aboard the M/V Lady Mary Joy of the Aleson Shipping Corp. that regularly plies the Zamboanga-Sandakan route.

Ricaredo Reyes, regional immigration chief, said the Philippine government shoulders the cost of deportation – about P600 (half the regular fare) per deportee.

A Philippine consular official was assigned here to facilitate the deportation of the Filipino migrants, who include women and children.

John Lu, manager of Aleson Shipping Corp., told The STAR the deportees are usually hauled off to the vessel’s cargo section and are only allowed to go up to the economy section after the boat is safely out of Malaysian waters.

"We have strict instructions from the Malaysian authorities that the deportees are only be taken out of the cargo section at the bottom of the ship if it has already sailed away from the port. This is to avoid instances of these deportees jumping off the boat so they could not be brought back home to the Philippines," Lu said.