KOTA KINABALU: Sabah could tap potential from managed immigrants who could contribute to the economy and its transformation.
United Nation Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam resident coordinator Karima El Korri said that there is an urgency to devise appropriate solutions to address statelessness and undocumented people in the state.
"Migration policy would guarantee that we capitalise on the human capital that is present in Sabah.
"If we have (established) safe order, mobility and access to services for all, they (managed immigrants) will contribute to the economy of Sabah and its transformation," she said during a speech titled "Leaving No One Behind in Sabah" for the Sabah SDG summit at Sabah International Convention centre here yesterday.
On Tuesday, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said that the digital registration of immigrants in Sabah was expected to be completed by year's end.
The exercise, which began last year, had completed a pilot project involving 14,855 foreigners from Sawit Kinabalu plantation areas.
El Korri also raised concern on education disparity for the children of immigrants in Sabah.
"The compulsory and free education for primary and secondary (school students) have ensured the progress is on track.
"Sabah's challenge is however related to mostly infrastructure and access to modern digital facilities.
"The issue of access to education, generally, is highly problematic given the large number of undocumented children in Sabah," she said.