SHAREDA cautions govt on ongoing operations against illegal immigrants

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA) has called on the government to exercise great care on the ongoing exercise to arrest and deport illegal immigrants.

The members were supportive of the government’s effort to address the problem of the large number of illegal immigrants and had made representations to the effect that they were a double-edged sword, SHAREDA president Kong Kok Wah said.

He said they wanted them out because of the many social, security and sovereignty problems they posed but on the other hand, recognised their importance.

“They have become so entangled in the state’s economy that a wholesale deportation of these sources of labour can amount to throwing the baby out with the bath water.

“We in SHAREDA advocate that while arrest and deportation should be done to unemployed illegal immigrants, there should be an amnesty and grace period for those who are employed so that their status can be regularised,” Kong said.

He said the exercise to be carried out should avoid unnecessary disruption to the day to day operations of the working sites.

In the meantime, he added, the government must give serious thoughts to reducing the levy for employing foreign workers or having it paid in instalment.

“The current levy of as high as RM2,000 per worker is excessive,” he said at the SHAREDA Nite 2008, in conjunction with the association’s 30th anniversary at Magellan Sutera on Saturday.

Kong said the housing and real estate industry in Sabah was sitting on a strong foundation and it was in a position of strength because of the foresight and the conviction of the founders of SHAREDA.

He said many had contributed their expertise, time and resources to the association, formerly known as the Sabah Housing Developers Association, to make it what it was at present.

Concurrent with all the changes, the housing industry had evolved from being builders of basic dwelling units to creators of wholesome living spaces that satisfied the buyers’ needs in relation to their family, work, social status and emotion, he said.

“Accordingly, we have chosen the theme for this celebration: Challenges for Sustainable Development,” Kong said, adding that the key to sustainability was their ability to acquire knowledge and response to the environment.

He said there had been a lot of changes in the last 30 years in every aspect of their business and environment, and they could be certain that changes would come fast and furious in the years to come.

It was their belief that only with knowledge and a desire for excellence would sustain their association’s relevance in the years to come.

Meanwhile, at this year’s SHAREDA Nite, the association has introduced recognition for outstanding awards where six developers had been selected as the deserving recipients.

They were Sinar Pembangunan for pioneer housing developments followed by Wong Kwok Group (lifestyle affordable homes), Wah Mie Group (innovative design and quality), Hap Seng Properties Development (high end residential homes), Sabah Urban Development Corporation (landmark developments) and Nexus Bay Resort Karambunai (beach resort homes).

SHAREDA has also presented RM20,000 contribution to two charity organisations, namely, the Sabah Society for the Blind (RM10,000) and the Kudat Divisional People Welfare Association (RM10,000).

The awards and contribution were presented by Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Hajiji Haji Noor, who was the guest of honour.

Also present were both of the ministry’s assistant ministers Edward Yong and Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, and Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim.