KOTA KINABALU: The issuance of Sabah identity cards to Sabahan Malaysian citizens is the best way forward in resolving once and for the lingering problems of dubious citizenship documents that have been issued over the years by federal authorities to illegal foreigners in Sabah.
Datuk Yong Teck Lee, the SAPP President said, “We don’t have to waste time and go back and debate all over again the dubious citizenship documents issue because the RCI (Royal Commission of Inquiry on Illegals) have already published its findings and recommendations in 2014.”
The findings are backed by facts, documents and testimonies of countless witnesses. A witness confessed that he was born overseas but he was issued a Myad citizenship card with the digit -12- signifying that he was born in Sabah.
“He went on to become a leader of the Sabah chapter of the political party from Peninsula Malaysia. Based on his political party standing, he was even appointed to the Board of a Sabah Government-linked company (GLC),” Yong who is a former Chief Minister said.
“This kind of nonsense must stop.”
Government officers have been convicted of taking part in making false documents. In 1995 – 1997, fake IC operatives have been detained under the (now abolished) Internal Security Act. Since then, some have died. Many fake IC holders have returned to their home countries of their own accord, he said in a statement.
What have we been waiting for? Black Sunday again? he questioned.
“There is nothing in the Federal constitution, the National Registration Act 1959, the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Passport Act 1966 that forbids the issuance of Sabah ICs because the Sabah ICs are meant only for Sabahan Malaysians citizens and not foreigners. Indeed, the same acts of parliament and constitution confer different zones to the territories of Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia. Sabah ICs does not grant citizenship to non-Malaysians which can only be done by the Federal government.”
“So, what has Sabah been waiting for? Digging up old issues without offering a solution only serves to distress the people and distract the government from solving the daily economic and infrastructural problems faced by ordinary people. Should SAPP youths start organising again the Black Sunday protests?”
“The issuance of Sabah IC to Sabahan Malaysian citizens can distinguish genuine Malaysian citizens with Sabahan status from non-Sabahans who have been granted Malaysian citizenship.”
“To remove all doubt, those foreigners who have been granted Malaysian citizenship by the Malaysian government remain as Malaysians but they are not Sabahans. They still need Sabah immigration control. Genuine Malaysians from Peninsula and Sarawak who have settled in Sabah for many years may also be granted Sabah IC at the discretion of only the Sabah government. It has been unconstitutional for the federal government to issue Mykads with digits -12- (Sabah born) to foreigners because these Myakds illegally confer Sabahan and even native status to foreigners who are clearly not natives of Sabah.”-pr/BNN
