Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the freeze was an election tactic to prevent the subject of foreign workers becoming a major election issue in Sarawak, where elections to the state assembly are expected in April.

He described Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem as a strong proponent of Sarawakians’ interest and any large intake of foreign workers would put Adenan in a difficult situation.

The foreign worker issue cut across all ethnic, religious and political lines, and would affect Barisan Nasional’s chances in the elections, he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said the people should examine any reasons the government gave for resuming the intake of foreign workers. “Most probably, the people will have to wait until after the Sarawak elections,” he said.

Adenan has not made known his opinions about foreign workers. However, Sarawak has autonomous powers over immigration, and Land Development minister James Masing has ruled out import of Bangladeshi workers as being unsuitable for Sarawak.