Politicians protecting illegal Indonesian school, district officer tells RCI
(TMI) – Political interference and patronage from certain parties led to the establishment of an illegal Indonesian school and the rise of squatter colonies in Papar, said its district officer Iman Ali.
Iman told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into illegal immigrants in Sabah that the illegal school followed the Indonesian education syllabus and its students wore the uniform colours of that country, red and white.
“Every Monday, the students would sing the Indonesian national anthem. But the district office never received any application for the opening and running of the school.”
Iman said the issue was discussed during a meeting with officers from other departments including the Education Department. A written report was also submitted by the Education officer on the issue of the Indonesian school.
He said the district office had attempted to shut the school down as it was not permitted to operate but political interference put paid to that move. Iman said he had received phone calls from certain political parties who instructed him to back down.
“The Indonesian illegal immigrants squat on land and then practice very unhealthy sanitation habits, including indiscriminate dumping of faeces. This was discovered by workers when they went to the area to cut grass,” Iman said.
“But when we wanted to carry out eviction action against these squatters, we would receive phone calls from certain political parties. We were instructed not to go ahead with the eviction.
