The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has initiated an investigation into the procedures for granting citizenship to seven foreign “heritage” players from the national Harimau Malaya squad.
According to a Home Ministry source, the agency's investigation involves the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the Immigration Department.
"This investigation focuses specifically on the process of granting citizenship to the seven players.
"EAIC has summoned two individuals from FAM, including its secretary-general Noor Azman Rahman last week to assist with the investigation.
"Apart from FAM, the EAIC has also summoned several officers from the department," the source, who requested anonymity, told Malaysiakini.
It is understood that several officers from the department are scheduled to appear before the EAIC to give statements this week.
"Individuals who will be summoned include divisional directors from the department to detail the technical aspects and procedures relating to travel documents and permits concerning the players," the source added.
Malaysiakini has contacted the EAIC, FAM and Noor Azman for comments, and is awaiting replies.
Report filed
On Oct 17, Noor Azman was suspended with immediate effect over the issue. However, on Jan 8, FAM's disciplinary committee reinstated him after the suspension period ended, and an Independent Investigation Committee's (IIC) Dec 16 report on the scandal.
FAM also lodged a police report after the IIC's probe into who purportedly falsified the birth certificates of the seven heritage players hit a roadblock, with crucial documents withheld and implicated parties refusing to cooperate, the panel said.
In its 59-page report, the four-member IIC said its investigation is limited, as it does not have legal powers to demand documents, force people to attend interviews, or examine records forensically.
IIC also called on FAM to lodge a police report, since the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) accused FAM and the seven players of forging or falsifying official documents, which is a criminal offence under Malaysian law.
NRD to be called next?
The source said that the EAIC is also expected to summon representatives from the National Registration Department (NRD) in the near future for the purpose of recording statements to complete the chain of investigation.
The source also disclosed that Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has been informed about this investigation and he is committed to providing full cooperation to EAIC to ensure the integrity of the process.
Fifa had previously initiated an investigation into FAM and seven Harimau Malaya players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.
The players concerned were found guilty of violating Article 22 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (FDC) regarding document forgery.
In the footballers’ case, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had exercised his discretion to waive a requirement that they reside in Malaysia for at least 10 years before becoming citizens.
In fact, Fifa investigations revealed that two of the players were allowed to sit for a citizenship test and granted MyKads within two days of entry permits into the country being approved.
The players were even considered to have passed their Bahasa Malaysia test despite admitting to Fifa that they don’t speak the language at all.
Meanwhile, the NRD did not appear to do due diligence on the supporting documents submitted by the players, namely birth certificates purporting that their grandparents were born in Malaysia.
Fifa found the documents to be forged, with one showing clear signs of tampering. It also found that documents from the players themselves showed that their grandparents had no connection with Malaysia.
Neither Saifuddin nor the NRD have admitted to any wrongdoing in the footballer citizenship case. - Mkini
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