Filipinos in Malaysia

History

Most of the Filipinos especially the Bajau had lived around the state of Sabah even since before the colonial period, while the Suluk had lived on the eastern part of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau as these areas was once under the influence of the Sultanate of Sulu. Others such as Ilonggo, Waray, Zamboangueño (living in Semporna since prior to the creation of Malaysia), Tagalog, Cebuano and Bicolanos then come to North Borneo (present-day Sabah) in 1920s and 1930s to work under the British government and various private companies. Many Filipinos in Malaysia are Moros.

Labours

In December 2011, an estimated 325,089 Filipinos lived legally in Malaysia. By 2011, 55,828 Filipinos were recorded working on contracts in Malaysia. A majority of these workers come from the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga Peninsula. There are at least 25 Filipino community organisations in Malaysia.

Illegal immigration and crime issues

The majority of undocumented Filipinos live in the Malaysian state of Sabah, with most of them coming from the Mindanao islands. They are frequently targeted by the Malaysian immigration for repatriation. In 2002, the first major crackdown on illegal immigration occurred, with around 64,000 Filipinos being repatriated. Around 4,000 to 6,000 Filipinos are deported each year for immigration offences, and the Philippine government says that there are many Filipinos detained in various immigration centres of Malaysia awaiting deportation. Some of these reportedly include children younger than 19 years old. Many of them are deported because of overstaying their visas, or being involved in crime. Nearly 72% of the foreign prison population in Sabah are Filipinos.

Since the attack by Kiram's in 2013, more Filipinos in the state facing an increase on discrimination and became the possible target for retaliation especially from the local Borneo tribes due to the killing of Malaysian police who mainly comprising the indigenous Borneo races.

Notable people

Almost all figures in the list of the notable people Filipino descent in Malaysia are of mixed descent, particularly with the natives of Sabah. Mixed-marriage is a pattern which is shared with most of Filipino descent in Malaysia (excluding to the recently arrived migrants), after settling in the Malaysian soil after generations, assimilation process and the common Islamic background.

• Albert Nicomedes - Hairstylist
• Andrea Fonseka - Miss Universe Malaysia 2004. She is of mixed Sinhalese (Sri Lankan), Portuguese, Spanish, Filipino and Chinese descent.
• Arshad Zamir - Actor and the winner of MasterChef Malaysia All Stars.
• Bella Dally - Actress
• Hans Isaac - Actor. He is of Indian, Eurasian and Filipino descent.
• Iqbal Mazlan - Actor
• Julfekar - Composer
• Julylen Liew Gizelle - Miss Supranational Malaysia 2016
• Maria Farida - Actress
• Melinda Roos - Writer
• Scarlett Megan Liew Zi Ling - Miss Intercontinental Malaysia 2018. She is of Sino-Kadazan and Filipino descent.
• Valentino Bon Jovi Bong - Squash player
• Yazmin Aziz - Filipino Malaysian Singer, Songwriter and Recording Artist.

References

References

1. Uy, Vernoica. (6 February 2009). "No foreign workers' layoffs in Malaysia". Global Enquirer.
2. (2003). "Filipino workers in Malaysia". Office of the Press Secretary.
3. (28 September 2015). "Kababayan community holds first gathering in Sabah". The Borneo Post.
4. Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Commission on Filipinos Overseas
5. Hunt, Luke. (27 November 2008). "Malaysia's Deportation of Filipino Refugees Raises Concerns". World Politics Review.
6. (16 May 2007). ""Home is where greener pasture is," DSWD tells illegal Filipinos in Sabah". Philippine Information Agency.
7. (10 July 2008). "Useful Information for Filipinos in Malaysia". phil.embassy.kl.
8. (1 February 2005). "Undocumented Filipino migrants in Malaysia to be assisted". [[Department of Labor and Employment (Philippines).
9. (2002). "Filipino's working abroad". Hogeschool Utecht.
10. Jacinto, Al. (17 October 2005). "330 Filipinos home after being deported from Sabah". Manila Times.
11. (17 February 2009). "300 illegal Pinoys deported from Malaysia". ABS-CBN News.
12. (19 March 2015). "Foreigners make up 58% of Sabah prison inmates". The Star.
13. Charlie Saceda. (6 March 2013). "Pinoys in Sabah fear retaliation". Rappler.
14. Fiqrie Dahari. (4 February 2016). "Hairstylist to the stars turns his eye to photography". Star2.com.
15. Arfa Yunus. (6 June 2013). "Andrea Fonseka - "I am looking forward for motherhood"". Astro Awani.
16. MOHD HAFIZ ISMAIL. (30 January 2014). "Zamir juara MasterChef Malaysia All Stars". Karangkraf.
17. N. RAMA LOHAN, WONG LI ZA and SHEELA CHANDRAN. (2015). "They're Malaysians, through and through". Star2.com.
18. WAHIDUZZAMAN. (14 March 2010). "Iqbal Mazlan Teringin Berlakon Filem MIG dan TU". Mstar.
19. Amirah Amaly Syafaat. (19 November 2017). "Kemenangan ini sangat bermaruah!". Utusan.
20. (30 January 2019). "Sabah's Scarlett in Miss Inter- continental Top 20". Daily Express.
21. David William Pelino, Robert Andrew Garcia and Reymark Begomia. (30 August 2017). "Philippine Squash bets fall to Singapore in SEA Games". Astro Awani.
22. Mumtaj Begum. (14 November 2018). "17-year-old Malaysian singer Yazmin Aziz juggles music and studies". Star2.com.