The National Registration Department emphasizes that all applications for personal documents must be in accordance with the conditions stipulated by law, and documents will not be arbitrarily approved, even with support letters, suggestions, or applications from any political leader or government agency.
This statement was made by the department in response to a circulation on social media of a record of a meeting dated April 26, 2019, involving the then-Sabah Chief Minister, which was used as a support letter for an individual's application for an identity card in Semporna.
The National Registration Department stresses that every application for issuing documents, whether it is a Temporary Resident Identity Card (MyKAS), Permanent Resident Certificate (MyPR), or MyKad, fully complies with the current laws and policies, and all applications will be reviewed in accordance with the National Registration Regulations 1990. Applications will not be approved arbitrarily, even if they include a support letter from any party.
“Any support letters, meeting records, or applications from political parties, political leaders, government or non-governmental agencies do not imply that any application will be automatically approved.”
The statement continues to say that the department will consider the opinions or support from stakeholders, but approval must still go through a strict screening and verification process, such as fact and document review and a background check on the applicant.
The statement states that MyKAS is issued to temporary residents who are born in Malaysia but whose citizenship cannot be confirmed.
“MyKAS holders do not have any citizenship advantages and must meet strict requirements to apply for permanent resident status and subsequently apply for a MyKad, depending on residency duration and eligibility.”
The statement continues to say that for MyKAS holders approved every five years, they still must attempt to trace their origins as outlined in the Federal Constitution.
Recently, two letters dated April 26, 2019, and October 9, 2019, were circulated on social media showing that the then-Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie requested authorities to approve a Semporna resident's MyKAS extension application.