KOTA KINABALU: The peace deal between Manila and Moro Islamic Liberation Front will help resolve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Saturday.

He said the peace deal facilitated by Malaysia would help reduce the number of Filipinos coming illegally into Sabah for better opportunities because of the civil unrest in the southern Philippines over the last four decades.

``We have played a role as facilitator for the peace and if we help in the development Mindanao (in southern Philippines) it will have a positive impact on the region and Sabah,'' Najib said at ground breaking of the RM35mil-Sabah Natives Court Institution building and the opening of the RM9.05mil-Inobong Bridge in Penampang here.

Najib, who is on a two-day visit to Sabah before heading to Manila Sunday to witness the peace deal, said that the Barisan Nasional government was taking steps to resolve the problems of illegal immigrants in Sabah and this was evident in the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants.

``The RCI is another step taken towards resolving the illegal immigrant problem ,'' he said at the ground breaking with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok present.

``It is Barisan itself who wants to solve it once and for all,'' he told the people at the launching of the college that would help train native judges in dispensing justice in line with customary laws of the state.

He said that the federal government would continuously help the people in preserving and maintaining the cultures and traditions.

Dompok, who is Penampang MP and Parti Upko president, said the Prime Minister had been supportive and provided large allocations for rural development, mission schools and helped to address various issues, including illegal immigrants.

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