Prayer for Sabah — Pt 1

By Weng Hong

As we approach Malaysia Day on Sept 16, let us remember Sabah in our prayers especially in these critical areas :

The massive illegal immigrant population in Sabah (a recurring issue over the decades)

It is estimated that there are 1.7 million illegals in Sabah leaving the 1.5 million Sabahans marginalised and disenfranchised in their own land greatly affecting the socio – political  and economic, religious fabric and security within the state. (These illegals have to look for jobs, food, shelter, healthcare etc but have no rights) Sabah has the highest number of poor in the country and an increasing crime statistic. (fmt 19/5/11) As of  aug 8, 2011, Sabah has recorded the highest in registered illegal immigrants of the 530,625 illegals so far registered from aug 1 to aug 8 in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah under the Govt’s Biometric 6P Amnesty programme. 

Stateless children

A report in 2009 says Sabah is home to 52,000 stateless children and their numbers are steadily increasing. “Stateless children are a by product of the massive influx of illegal immigrants into Sabah” ” They are here because many of their parents who are illegal immigrants (working in plantations) have either abandoned them or left them when they were arrested or deported back”  They live on the streets as child labourers, are exposed to drugs, petty crime and are subject to abuse, have no access to education, healthcare.  (free malaysia today 19/5/2011)

Prayer

Lets pray that the Government is determined, impartial and sincere in its 6P Amnesty Biometric Registration Programme for illegal immigrants and illegal foreign workers esp in Sabah inorder to stop their abuse / exploitation by syndicates/people who seek to profit  from their vulnerablility (as they have no rights). Pray that the Govt is sincere to resolve the huge immigrant population in Sabah which is destroying the socio - political, security, economic, religious  fabric in Sabah.

Pray for the Church in Sabah that it would be united and find a new zeal and commitment to bring the good news to the poor and needy there.

Weng Hong Run Nat Prayer Commission Head