“It is only the first month of this year and a lot of cases have already been reported,” said Upko Youth chief Felix Joseph Saang.

He cited the robbery attempt by a goldsmith using explosives in Segama, the hostage case involving a child in Telipok Ria, Tuaran and the assault on a homestay operator in Tamparuli.

“Upko Youth is concerned that almost all of these criminal cases involved foreigners, mostly illegals. We have to curb their presence in the state,” he said.

He said it was “open secret” that many foreigners were given Malaysian identification documents “through the backdoor”.

He urged authorities to recall and reissue all identification cards issued in the state.

“This can certainly be a part of the solution. By recalling the identity cards in Sabah, it can ensure the integrity of the identification document,” he said.

“The government needs to take feasible yet drastic measures to address the problem. There is no two-ways about it,” said Felix.