Maximus
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah wants relevant authorities to ensure only genuine Malaysian citizens are issued the country’s identification card.
“We (PBS) acknowledge that MyKads must be reissued to its applicants swiftly, but it must be done the right way,” said the party President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, today.
Commending the National Registration Department for its quick action to replace the MyKads of fire victims of squatter settlements, he said such exercise must be carried out after thorough screening of its applicants.
“In the case of the recent Putatan fire, fire victims were reissued their identification documents within 10 days. And there have been at least eight suspicious fires at squatter settlements throughout Sabah since June 2018.
“NRD and relevant authorities must conduct thorough checks and investigations to ensure that only proven, genuine Malaysians are given replacement documents,” he said.
He stressed that PBS do not want unwanted foreigners to use this avenue to acquire Malaysian citizenship through ill-gotten identity cards, as well as birth certificates.
The NRD, he added, must also ensure that the process of verification is transparent and can be counter checked by local community leaders.
“This is ensure those receiving documents are genuinely locals.
“While we commend the NRD for their efficient and prompt action, such response should not only happen when fires occured in squatter settlements, especially where there are known colonies of illegal immigrants.”
The Kota Marudu Member of Parliament noted that of late, there have been regular smaller fires in various rural districts weekly.
“Usually fire victims wait for months before getting their MyKads and birth documents replaced. Yet these are all locals and natives.
“PBS wants to ensure the territorial integrity of the Malaysian nation. We have enough of the infiltration of illegal immigrants and the domination of unwanted foreigners,” he concluded.