'No temporary ICs for foreigners to vote'

The National Registration Department (NRD) has never issued temporary identity cards (MyKas) to foreign nationals to enable them to vote in the 13th general election, said director-general Jariah Mohd Said.

She said based on the status of a temporary resident, which means that the person is not a citizen, holders of MyKas do not have the right to vote. 

In this regard, she said allegations in the social media lately that foreigners have been issued identity documents so that they could also vote in GE13 were clearly mischievous and an effort to confuse the people.

"MyKas is issued based on National Registration Act 1959 (Act 78) and Regulations, under Regulation 5(3)(c)(ii) National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2001) to someone who is born in Malaysia.

"But the status of citizenship cannot be decided or has not yet been decided," she said in a statement yesterday.

The NRD began issuing green MyKas in 2008 and it retained the word 'Temporary Resident' and 'Not Citizen'. The card is valid for five years and renewable.

"Prior to 2009, all identity cards issued were blue, regardless of whether they were citizens or otherwise.

"(But) these have an expiry date and 'Temporary Resident' stated on it, as well as five green triangles on the card," she added.

- Bernama