SAPP wants details on Sabah red IC holders

Kota Kinabalu: SAPP wants the Home Minister to disclose to the public the actual number of Red IC holders awarded Malaysian citizenship as well as those who are applying for it in Sabah, including their racial background.

Its Deputy President Datuk Eric Majimbun said this in response to the Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar's recent statement in Parliament that the Government will not be taking any action on citizenship applications from Red IC holders in Sabah because the number involved was small.

He said as the Minister in charge Syed Hamid should have had the figures and breakdown readily available and disclose these, rather than letting the public guess themselves.

Eric said many living in the remote rural areas in Sabah are either holding a Red IC or do not have an IC.

The Sepanggar MP also asked for the procedure of processing an application from Red IC holders for Malaysian citizenship to be done properly and transparently, to prevent any abuse.

He said the government also needs to be fair to genuine Sabahan bumiputeras, who are born outside the country like Brunei and now still holding a permanent resident status, who have applied for Malaysian citizenship but find it hard to get approval.

"When they apply for citizenship, even after so many years they cannot get it but are instead given permanent residence, while foreigners who maybe just arrived yesterday easily get citizenship," he claimed.

Syed Hamid, in answering a question from Kota Kinabalu MP Dr Hiew King Cheu, said if the holders of Red ICs wished to become Malaysian citizens they have to submit an application to the National Registration Department (NRD).

The Government will process their application and the decision will be forwarded to the applicant after considering all factors, he added.

-DE