SAPP slams Warisan for downplaying Shafie’s ‘interference’ in document approval

 

SAPP Youth chief Jamain Sarudin slammed the ‘subtle use of political power’ to allegedly support the process for the issuance of the MyKAS – a temporary resident identity card. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Youth chief Jamain Sarudin has accused his Warisan counterpart Terence Au of downplaying the alleged interference of former Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal in two applications for identification documents.

Jamain, who is also the political secretary to chief minister Hajiji Noor, said Au’s comments on the matter had “raised more questions than answers”.

“What we are questioning is the subtle use of political power to support a process that touches on citizenship – an issue of immense sensitivity in the context of Sabah.

“This is about more than a simple handwritten note. It is about Sabah’s future,” Jamain said in a statement, referring to allegations that two applications were accompanied by handwritten remarks by Shafie.

“Therefore, the core issue is no longer the documents’ authenticity but why, and in what capacity, a chief minister would write “sukacita dapat diluluskan” (glad if it’s approved) on applications for identity documents such as the MyKAS and MyPR?” he asked.

Jamain said this phrase was not a “mere formality” but a political signal that the applications should be favourably considered.

Earlier today, Au said attempts to suggest government officers could be swayed by written notes from political figures were an affront to the professionalism of civil servants who carried out their duties within the bounds of the law.

“This is an undeniable fact. It is neither fair nor responsible to continue spreading assumptions or fostering the perception that approvals can be granted arbitrarily,” Au had said in a statement.

Yesterday, the national registration department (NRD) said in a statement that all applications for the MyKAS, MyPR and MyKAD were strictly governed by existing laws and procedures.

The department stressed that all applications would be thoroughly assessed in accordance with the provisions under the National Registration Regulations 1990.

“The department will not approve any application arbitrarily, even if it is accompanied by a letter of support from any party,” it added.

On Saturday, the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) urged the authorities to investigate the circulation of two documents allegedly containing written instructions from Shafie supporting applications for identification documents.

One, dated April 26, 2019, requested the authorities to expedite a MyKAS extension application from a resident of Semporna while the other, dated Oct 9, 2019, was for a citizenship application for the child of a resident in Lahat Datu.

KDCA youth wing chief Steve Johnny Mositun had questioned the alleged political interference and urged the NRD and the home ministry to disclose the number of MyKAS, MyPR and MyKAD applications supported by Shafie when he was the chief minister between 2018 and 2020. - FMT