Khamis, Disember 22, 2011

NEED TO EXERCISE IMMIGRATION POWER CAREFULLY

Need to exercise immigration power carefully – SLA

KOTA KINABALU Dec 21, 2011: The Sabah Law Association (SLA) supports all legislative and executive decisions by the State Government protecting, enhancing and promoting the constitutional rights of Sabah.

“We commend the State Government in its endeavours to protect whatever remnant privileges and rights the State may have under the Malaysia Agreement and the Malaysia Act,”

said the association yesterday.

The SLA said this in a statement when commenting on the Immigration Department’s decision to bar Harris Ibrahim, the president of the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM), from entering Sabah on December 6.

The SLA said the decision gave rise to concerns over the legality of the action of the State Government and as such offered to clarify the position of the law on this issue.

“Although the legality of the decision of the State Government is beyond reproach for reasons as follows, such decisions ought to be made carefully and ought not to be made frivolously or for reasons which do not further nor protect the interest of the State.

“The decision of the State Government to bar Harris Ibrahim’s entry into the State was made under Section 65(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963,” it said in a statement.

“The Sabah Law Association is of the view that the exercise by the State Authority of its rights under the Immigration Act is not just an executive act under an ordinary legislation but is an act pursuant to the constitutional rights accorded to the East Malaysian States under Part VII of the Immigration Act.

“The State Authority’s said decision receives support from the Supreme Court’s decision in 2002 in the case of Pihak Berkuasa Negeri Sabah v Sugumar Balakrishnam where it was held that the exercise of the State Authority’s rights under Part VII of the Immigration Act to cancel the entry permit of a person issued with one without according the affected person the right to be heard or without assigning any reasons for the decision as valid,” the association added.

However, the SLA cautioned that the power of the State to deny entry to non-Sabahans is however a potentially draconian and wide-reaching power which must be judiciously and fairly exercised.

“Although the State is not obliged to provide reasons for or to justify its decision, we would urge the State Government to issue its own statement as to its reasons for doing so in order to avoid the impression that the power was exercised capriciously or to comply with the wishes of the powers-that-be outside of the State.

Compliance with outside forces surely cannot protect, enhance or promote our constitutional rights,” it said.

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Peaceful Assembly Bill unconstitutional – SLA

KOTA KINABALU Dec 21, 2011: The Sabah Law Association (SLA) said the recent tabling of the Peaceful Assembly Bill (PAB) 2011 would only continue to shackle Malaysians with its heavy chains when the rest of the world are marching towards greater freedom where human rights take centre stage.

The association also contended that the PAB as it stands is unconstitutional.

The SLA pointed out that the people’s rights to assemble peaceably unarmed and the right to freedom of expression are already engraved in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

It also cited the Federal Court in Sivarasa Rasiah’s case in 2010 that had recognised these rights as part of the basic structure of the Federal Constitution.

“In the guise of maintaining security and public order the Government has now deemed it fit to take away our fundamental right of expression and to assemble,” said the association in a statement.

The SLA expressed fear that if the PAB were to be passed, it would be more for its restrictions on the citizens’ rights than in advancing it.

“Of what value is a right to assemble when peaceful street protests by unarmed citizens would now be totally banned which hitherto could be carried out with permit under Section 27(2) of the Police Act 1967?

“Of what value is the right to assemble when a prior notice need to be given and police permit obtained when the feature of assembly lies in its spontaneity?” asked the association.

The SLA contended that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri’s view that the PAB is not unconstitutional because Article 10(2) allows Parliament by law to restrict the freedom of assembly is too simplistic a view.

“This does not give Parliament the carte blanche to pass any law that renders the fundamental rights a mirage.

“We need to be reminded only of the Supreme Court decisions in 1992 and 2010. In Nordin Salleh’s case it was held that it would be unconstitutional for Parliament to enact laws that would render the fundamental rights illusory.

“In Sivarasa Rasiah’s case it was held that any restriction to the fundamental rights under Article 10 must be reasonable and proportionate to the object march the restrictive legislation seeks to achieve,” it added.

51 ulasan:

  1. Harap pertimbangan sewajarnya akan dijalankan mengenai kuasa immigrasi di Sabah.

    BalasPadam
  2. Syabas kerjaan Sabah kerana memperjuangkan hak dan kepentingan Sabah.

    BalasPadam
  3. the government should protecting constitutional rights of Sabah. that for Sabah people sake.

    BalasPadam
  4. apa keputusan yang dibuat harus tidak menjejaskan kedudukan undang2 mengenai isu ini. Harus berhati-hati sebab ini berkaitan dengan kepentingan negeri.

    BalasPadam
  5. Sabah mempunyai hak2 dalam kuasa immigresen.

    BalasPadam
  6. apaun buatlah sesuautu yang memastikan hak2 dan kepentingan Sabah terjamin dan terjaga.

    BalasPadam
  7. We do not want another May 13 ? I think this is their concern. what say you ?

    BalasPadam
  8. Men made laws and the laws could be broken by men.
    Who is in the stronger or better poistion to break the law ?

    BalasPadam
  9. Govt should take good care of the interest of the people.

    BalasPadam
  10. Hope Sabahans can get their rights!!

    BalasPadam
  11. Is Harris Ibrahim really dangerous??

    BalasPadam
  12. Give back Immigration power to Sabah.

    BalasPadam
  13. Please give back the immigration power to Sabah.

    BalasPadam
  14. autonomi untuk pendidik sudah diberikan kepada Sabah, immigresen bila lagi?

    BalasPadam
  15. Truth to be told, immigration holds a huge power.

    BalasPadam
  16. Wrong decision will lead to the worst.

    BalasPadam
  17. Sabahans are so unfortunate.

    BalasPadam
  18. yang penting kepentingan rakyat Sabah sentiasa terjaga dengan sebaiknya.

    BalasPadam
  19. apa pun yang dilakukan atau dilaksanakan, pastikan ianya memberikan manfaat kepada rakyat.

    BalasPadam
  20. Ya wan. itulah yang sepatutnya. Apa saja yang mahu dilakukan pastikan ia memberi manfaat kepada rakyat.

    BalasPadam
  21. Hati2 dalam membuat sesuatu keputusan kerana dikhuatiri ia mampu mengeruhkan lagi keadaan.

    BalasPadam
  22. Semoga ada berita baik yang akan Sabahan dengar nanti. Sama2 kita nantikan.

    BalasPadam
  23. Siapa ba si Harris Ibrahim ni??? Apoa juga kuasa yang dia ada sampai dia ni digeruni??? hhmmm..

    BalasPadam
  24. Apapun hak Sabah harus dipertahankan. Harap hal ini dapat perhatian.

    BalasPadam
  25. They bar Harris to avoid any harm done in sabah but unfortunately there is consequence for barring him from entering sabah.

    BalasPadam
  26. Harris made such an impact till he is denied into sabah.

    BalasPadam
  27. sabahans may think its crazy to deny harris entry but gov was just taking extra caution in making sure sabah's peace is maintain.

    BalasPadam
  28. Immigresen memainkan peranan penting supaya pendatang haram dapat dikesan dan diambil tindakan serta merta.

    BalasPadam
  29. What can Harris do alone here in Sabah?

    BalasPadam
  30. Im sure the must be some reason why Harris been barred. Anyway, human rights should enhances.

    BalasPadam
  31. Sabah should give sufficient rights to make decision.

    BalasPadam
  32. Harus dikaji sama ada kuasa immigresen harus diberi kepada Sabah.

    BalasPadam
  33. The Immigration Department should divide their power accordingly.

    BalasPadam
  34. Semestinya ini dapat menghalang pergerakan masuk PTI.

    BalasPadam
  35. Kalau diberi kuasa, harus diguna dengan wajar.

    BalasPadam
  36. Kenapa Haris kena tahan? Adakah beliau membuat sesuatu yang merisikokan Sabah?

    BalasPadam
  37. Immigresen tidak menjalakan tugas, ini lah akibat kemasukan PATI yang semakin bertambahan.

    BalasPadam
  38. Polosi baru harus dikaji agar tiada golongan yang salah gunakan kuasa.

    BalasPadam
  39. Just wonder is Harris will bring harmful to Sabah? Is these the purpose to restrict him to bring in negative impact to the State.

    BalasPadam
  40. Pasti dapat mengurangkan kemasukan PATI e dalam negeri Sabah..

    BalasPadam
  41. Masalah Harris dan Pati adalah dua masalah yg berbeza...

    BalasPadam
  42. Imigresen memaninan peranan penting dalam menghalang PATI dari terus masuk Sabah..

    BalasPadam
  43. Jia imigresen di beri uasa..merea harus adil dan ceap dalam menjalanan tugas mereka..

    BalasPadam
  44. Harap yg terbaik dan masalah Pati ini akan selesai..

    BalasPadam
  45. Imigresen tetap melaksanakan tugas mereka dengan baik. Harap teruskan memastikan tugas dapat dilaksanakan dengan sebaiknya.

    BalasPadam
  46. It is a good thing the Sabah government fights for the rights and interests of the Sabahans.

    BalasPadam
  47. The state government should protect the constitutional rights of the people.

    BalasPadam
  48. Important interests of the people of Sabah are waking up properly.

    BalasPadam
  49. It is better decisions are made wisely for the benefit of the people.

    BalasPadam
  50. Immigration plays an important role so that illegal immigrants can be detected and immediate action is taken upon as necessary.

    BalasPadam