I refer to the speech by the Chairman of the GRS
Backbenchers Club, Masiung Banah, during the recent State Legislative
Assembly sitting, where he expressed support for the issuance of
MyKas to stateless residents in Sabah, including holders of IMM13 and
“Kad Burung-Burung,” on economic grounds.
On a personal note, I support any effort by the
Government to record and issue identification documents to stateless
individuals in this state, provided that such measures do not create
any pathway for them to obtain citizenship in the future.
The process of recording and documenting stateless
individuals is important to ensure that both the State and Federal
Governments possess accurate and comprehensive data on every
individual residing in Sabah. This forms the foundation for more
effective policy planning.
However, I do not agree with Masiung’s view that
the issuance of MyKas should be justified from the perspective of
economic benefits to the state. State Government policies should
focus on reducing dependence on external labour, not reinforcing it.
Many of us still remember that in the early 2000s,
the Government introduced various short-term skills training
programmes—such as ceiling installation, tiling, plastering, and
bricklaying—to train Sabah youth to fill local labour demands.
These were among the measures taken at the time to reduce reliance on
foreign labour.
At that time, no leader suggested issuing
identification documents to non-citizens without nationality on the
basis that they could contribute to Sabah’s economic development.
Masiung’s assertion that Sabah youth are not
interested in the agriculture and construction sectors is also
inaccurate. In reality, many Sabah youths are willing to work in
these sectors if they are offered reasonable wages, stable employment
(not temporary in nature), and clear pathways for career mobility.
In fact, many Sabah youths are inclined toward
“outdoor” careers such as those in offshore oil platforms,
container shipping, and eco-tourism—so long as the rewards are
commensurate with their qualifications and sacrifices.
If the issuance of MyKas is viewed by Masiung and
the GRS Government as a source of cheap labour, I am concerned that
it will negatively impact Sabah youths currently enrolled in TVET
programmes at polytechnics, agricultural institutes, and skills
colleges. Upon graduation, they will inevitably face unbalanced
competition from MyKas holders.
We must recognize that the migration of Sabahans
out of the state is driven by the lack of job opportunities that
match their qualifications, low wage levels, and the limited adoption
of technology in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and
construction.
An over supply of cheap labour (created through
MyKas) in the state labour market will likely lead to wage
stagnation, while also slowing down investment and the adoption of
modern technologies and IoT in agriculture, manufacturing, and
construction. The result is that our youth will continue to avoid
careers in these sectors, and Sabah will persist in recording one of
the lowest labour productivity rates in the country, at around 65%.
Therefore, I stress that any economic policy of
the State Government must prioritise the future of Sabah youth, as
upon completing their TVET education, they will face financial
commitments such as PTPTN repayments, housing and vehicle loans, and
family responsibilities.
The state economy—from top to bottom—should be
driven and powered by Sabah youths, not by foreign individuals whose
nationality remains unknown.
Christopher Masudal
Director of Strategic Communications
Parti Warisan
30 April 2026
