MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine
Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said Monday (April 1) that Malaysia has imposed new
guidelines for barter traders in Sabah and Labuan, notably requiring Filipinos
and other foreigners to have passports or seaman’s books in order to enter
these areas.
The new rules come amid the continuing tension between the Philippines and
its ASEAN neighbor Malaysia, over the case of hundreds of followers of the Sulu
Sultanate whom Malaysian security forces are pursuing for their attempt to
“reclaim our homeland,” Sabah.
The Sultanate claims it never relinquished ownership of the resource-rich
territory, which the British government gave to Malaysia when the latter was
federated. The Sulu sultanate had rented out Sabah to British merchants, and
continues to receive annual rental payments from Kuala Lumpur.
In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine embassy in
KL conveyed the Malaysian Foreign Ministry’s note verbale to all diplomatic
missions in that country: “With effect from 15 April 2013, all crews of barter
trade ships or 
vessels will be required to produce valid travel documents, i.e
international passport or seaman book at all entry ports in
Sabah. Seaman identification card (SIC) will no longer be issued to
crews of barter trade ships or vessels without valid travel documentation.”
vessels will be required to produce valid travel documents, i.e
international passport or seaman book at all entry ports in
Sabah. Seaman identification card (SIC) will no longer be issued to
crews of barter trade ships or vessels without valid travel documentation.”
The note verbale added: “Effective from 2 April 2013, permanent Custom and
Immigration Quarantine (CIQ) complexes will be operating at Ports of Kudat and
Lahad Datu as well as an Immigration Control office at Karakit, Pulau Banggi
where all immigration and customs procedures will be enforced at the said entry
points.”
Source: InterAksyon...More...
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