KOTA KINABALU: Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Youth Council Chairman Steve Mositun wants former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal investigated over alleged approval of identification documents to foreigners during the two years Parti Warisan was the state government.
He said the National Registration Department and the Home Ministry must disclose the number of MyKas, MyPR and MyKad applications that allegedly received written support from Shafie during his tenure as Sabah Chief Minister from 2018 to 2020.
“Did all applications endorsed through official minutes undergo proper documentation, security screening and legal compliance?
“What was the basis for the approval directives and were these actions in violation of the National Registration Act 1959 or any provisions of the Federal Constitution?” said Steve, adding that it warranted investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and police for elements of power abuse or administrative loopholes.
Steve claimed the existence of two official letters purportedly containing written directives by Shafie regarding the approval of identification document applications warrants thorough investigation into possible interference in the national registration system.
“One letter dated April 26, 2019 instructed the Secretary of Home Affairs and Research at the Chief Minister’s Department to approve an application.
“A second letter dated October 9, 2019 contained a minute to the Director of the National Registration Department with the words ‘sukacita dapat diluluskan’ (glad to have it approved),” he said in a statement.
Steve said the action is inappropriate and raised concerns over the extent of political influence in the processing of MyKas, MyPR and ultimately MyKad applications under Warisan.
“Justin Wong may argue that the Chief Minister has no absolute power to grant citizenship.
“We do not dispute that fact. But the issue here is why a Chief Minister would directly minute for identification document applications to be approved?” asked Steve.
“The general perception that MyKas is merely a temporary document does not fully reflect reality.
“This is because MyKas holders are eligible to apply for permanent resident status (MyPR) and subsequently MyKad, subject to specified conditions and timeframes.
“MyKas is essentially the starting point to citizenship. Therefore, any external influence over MyKas approvals, especially through political directives, is deeply concerning,” he said.
He said the approval process for identification documents must remain free from political influence and State interference to safeguard the integrity of the national registration system.
Steve said Sabahans have not forgotten the repercussions of the infamous Projek IC, the unlawful granting of citizenship to foreigners in the past, which had long-term consequences on the State’s social and economic structure.
“Sabah has been burned by this mistake before. We do not want old fires reignited through the backdoor of State administration. Citizenship is not a political game, it is a matter of national sovereignty,” he said.
He said Sabah’s younger generation deserves to know the truth behind the viral official minutes and called on the relevant authorities to provide the public with an open explanation.