KLUANG: The Home Ministry yesterday refuted opposition allegations that it readily accorded permanent residence (PR) status to foreign nationals.
Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein dismissed the allegations as baseless and said the opposition was raising the matter as an issue for the next general election.
“I know for a fact that the allegations are baseless because I am the one who considers the recommendations from our officers.
“We approve the PR status in accordance with the law,” he told reporters after calling on Sembrong Umno information chief Abdul Rahman Shahdan, a diabetic, at Felda Kahang Timur, here.
Hishammuddin, who is Sembrong Umno Division chief, said the opposition move in raising the allegations reflected its fear of the transformation programme initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said the concern now was over the ease with which foreign nationals made the country their home illegally and it was for this reason that the ministry had implemented the 6P amnesty programme to record their data.
“We do not have any other interest.
“We receive hundreds of thousands of applications to be signed, and we will continue doing this despite the allegations.
“I believe that in the end the people will be able to make an evaluation. Next week, I will also provide an in-depth explanation on the issues of citizenship, PR and birth certificates,” he said. — Bernama