KL needs States ok when approving citizenship, PR in Sabah

Source : Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: The issuance of MyKads (citizenship) to 96,000 refugees holding IMM13 certificates in Sabah has raised a question as to whether it has been approved by the State Government.

Parti Keadilaan Rakyat (PKR) National Integration Bureau Chief, Dr Chong Eng Leong, said any citizenship and Sabah permanent resident (PR) status to be issued must get the approval of the State Government.

"This is irrespective of whether the status is being given to refugees or Sarawakians or West Malaysians who are living in Sabah.

"When Sabah joined Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya to form Malaysia, Sabah was given certain immigration powers.

"To issue Sabah PR for Sarawakians and those from the peninsula the Sabah Government's approval must be obtained first what more to issue this status to refugees," he said, Monday.

Dr Chong was commenting on Saturday's report that the Government would issue MyKads to eligible applicants who are qualified under the National Registration Act 1959 (Article 78) and the Constitution.

The report stated that the Immigration Department has issued IMM13 documents to refugees from the Philippines in Sabah, allowing them to stay in the country based on humanitarian grounds.

Home Affairs Minister Datuk Hishammudin Tun Hussein said the IMM13 is a special permanent pass issued to allow foreign refugees enter and stay in the country on a yearly basis.

"Malaysia has never signed the United Nations protocol for refugees so this means that Malaysia does not accept and recognise refugees (Achenese from Sumatra, Rohingas from Burma, and Patani from Thailand)," said Dr Chong.

"But how come Sabah is accepting refugees? In previous years, Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (Minister in the Prime Minister's Department) had mentioned about issuing PR status to IMM13 holders here.

"But when there were complaints from the people, the State Government said PR status cannot be given to them.

"If the State Government has control over granting Sabah PR status to Malaysians from Sarawak or the peninsula, then they should have the right to decide who should be the Malaysian citizens who are going to stay in Sabah," he said.

The same process also applies to foreigners holding IMM13 certificates who were granted citizenship or Sabah PR status, he said.

"I ask the Home Minister whether they had sought approval from the Sabah government before granting the PR status to IMM13 holders."

Towards the end, Dr Chong questioned why most of the MyKads granted to IMM13 holders bear the code "12" denoting that they were born in Sabah when they are actually born in the Philippines.

"If they are refugees with IMM13 documents and were granted citizenship, why is their data showing they are born in Sabah? Did the police even investigate their background?

"This mean that the central government is taking Sabah for a ride.

Don't forget that Sabah took part in the formation of Malaysia primarily because of the security and sovereignty of Sabah within Malaysia.

"What was done is exactly opposite to our former nation leaders' action É and what we ask for."

P/s : what happen to Sabahan leader... It seems they didnt care about it...all they care about is billion project so they can take taxpayer money to their own pocket.I think all the Sabahan leader should retired by now. :(