Malaysia revokes ID card for PHL seamen

Malaysia has revoked the issuance of Seaman Identification Cards (SICs) for seamen from the southern Philippines due to the "intrusion" into Sabah by followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III last February, Malaysia's state-run Bernama reported late Thursday. Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) director Datuk Mohammad Mentek claimed the revocation was due to alleged "rampant misuse" of the SIC. The revocation took effect April 15. "The revocation will restrict entry of barter-trade 'kumpit' boats, reduce smuggling activities and improve border security control," he said. He was quoted in the Bernama report as saying the SIC had been used for smuggling activities, drug and gun running, and human trafficking. In 2012, he noted 102 boats entered Sandakan but only one had valid travel documents. Mohammad said the SIC had been issued to Filipino seamen without travel documents so they can engage in barter trading in the area. The SIC is valid for seven days and confined to the ports. "Barter trading is not acknowledged as an economic activity in the Philippines, that's why its citizens come here," he added. Malaysia has tightened security around Sabah following the “intrusion” by Kiram's followers, which ended in deadly clashes on March 1 and 2. Those deadly clashes prompted Malaysia to mount offensives against Kiram's followers. Meanwhile, Bernama reported that two more immigration, customs, quarantine and security centers were set up in Lahad Datu and Kudat. This would constrict the "rat trails" in the east coast of Sabah which had contributed to illegal entries. — DVM, GMA News