Sarawak eyes Sabah’s forestry policies, but not immigrant problems

KOTA KINABALU, March 17 — Sarawak has much to learn from Sabah, but the one thing it does not want to copy is the state’s immigrant problem, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Adenan, during his maiden visit here as chief minister, said he was surprised at the unnatural jump in population here compared to Sarawak, and was not going to allow a similar situation of outsiders in his state.

“This is one thing we will not be following in your footsteps. We don’t want that kind of problem in Sarawak, and although we are close to the Indonesian border, they do not pose so much of a problem,” he said.

Sabah’s perennial immigration issues recently led to the formation of two committees, a main committee overseeing a technical working committee that is tasked with coming up with a solution and action plan to rid the state of its issues with illegal immigrants.

“I pity (Tan Sri) Pairin (Kitingan) who has to handle this problem. It is not an easy task,” said Adenan during his speech at a dinner with the State ministers and department heads held in conjunction with his visit here.

Earlier, Adenan said he was in awe of Sabah’s forestry policies that has revived a previously ailing industry and wants to emulate it in his battle against illegal logging in Sarawak.

“Years ago, I’m sorry to say,  it was a big mess (in Sabah),  but now it is well-regulated and well-preserved. We want to follow in your footsteps in this and preserve our nature for generations to come,” he said.

Adenan also said Sabah’s tourism industry was thriving compared to Sarawak and he wanted to explore ways to emulate Sabah’s success in eco tourism and provide friendly competition to their sister state.

“There’re a lot of  Western tourists here. We are nothing compared to you. We would like to be more competition to you – and we have Mulu to offer.

“Why don’t we have a joint package — Mount Kinabalu and Mulu. One high up in the air, the other you have to go underground. This is the ultimate package for eco tourists. We have to keep the word ‘Borneo’ — it is our brand that everyone knows,” he added.

Adenan, echoing Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman’s statement in his speech earlier, said that there will be more of a relationship and cooperation between the two states in the future.