Deputy Home Affairs Minister Dato' Zainal Abidin Bin Zin said all foreigners had to comply with the criteria and regulation according to the National Registration Act besides having a clean record while working or staying in the country.

He was replying to a question raised by a local community leader if Indonesian nationals, who had worked at a farm here for about 10 years with expired visa, could be issued with Red IC since they were law abiding people.

Abidin said that foreigners who had breached the laws in the first place, should not expect for the privilege treatment even if they were Muslims.

Abidin said this during the question and answer session after a dialogue with the local community leaders from various communities, at Parkcity Beverly Hotel yesterday.

The dialogue, arranged by Member of Parliament for Bintulu Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing, was on the security situation in Bintulu.

Abidin reminded employers not to harbour illegal immigrants as the latter might pose security problem in the country. He cited certain criminal cases like house-breaking committed by illegal immigrants.

Abidin pointed out that Malaysia was now becoming the favourite country for illegal workers from other ASEAN countries and even China. Some were even involved in fresh trade which might trigger the spread of HIV/AIDS diseases.

On the question of shotgun licence renewal, Abidin said, unlike in Peninsular Malaysia where police handled the renewal of shotgun licenses, in Sabah and Sarawak the District office were empowered to renew the licences.

Touching on the rise of motor vehicle thefts here, Abidin assured that the culprits would be brought to justice soon.

Abidin also called on the people to cooperate and work closely with police to combat crimes together.

He said even if the police force were increased by 23,000 as approved by the Cabinet, they could not function efficiently if the people remained unconcerned and refused to cooperate.

He also thanked Tiong who had agreed to donate few vehicles for the local police to patrol the town.

On the claim that the police did not carry out thorough investigation as many people after being arrested for certain crimes were released later by court, Abidin said police could not simply detain people longer than what the court had granted but had to release them if they were found not involved in the crimes.

More than 100 people from the associations, Education Department and legal firms besides the community
Leaders attended the session.

Also present were Bintulu Residen Ubaidillah bin Haji Abdul Latip, SAC I Abang Wahab bin Abang Julai of Kuching Headquarters and OCPD Bintulu Superindentent Sulaiman Abdul Razak.