Alarm raised over dubious card giving foreigners Sabah citizenship

KOTA KINABALU: The emergence of a so-called “special card on foreigner data documentation” is causing a stir in the state as to its authenticity and the possibility it exists as part of a scam.

The card came to light when two Upko Youth chiefs lodged police reports urging the authorities to investigate the images of the Sabah Foreign Workers Data Documentation Card which had gone viral.

The Home Ministry denied any links with the issuance of the card or appointment of anyone or company to collect data from foreigners in Sabah.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said they had lodged a police report on the matter at Putrajaya’s Presint 7 police station yesterday.

“It needs to be said that the company issuing these cards has no links to the National Registration Department or the Immigration Department.

“The director-generals of the departments will investigate if the image that has gone viral is a fake or genuine,” he said after attending the ministry’s family day in Serdang.

Muhyiddin said if the card was genuine, stern action must be taken.

“We do not know the extent of the case and if there is any violation of the National Registration Act or the Immigration Act.

“The investigation will reveal that,” he said.

Tuaran Upko Youth chief Charles Juati and his Sepanggar counterpart Fardy Bungga said the images had caused a sense of uneasiness in the community.

“If the cards were real, then it must be revealed if it is legal and why they were given Sabah citizenship,” said Fardy.

In a statement, the ministry said it had never appointed Mega Management Consultancy Sdn Bhd to gather information on foreign workers, illegal immigrants or any person with citizenship problems in Sabah.

“The card that is being issued by the company is not valid for any official purpose and gives no special privilege to the foreigners.

“It cannot be used for any official purposes including applying for citizenship,” it said.

The ministry said the issuance of the card was done by some people or companies trying to cheat unsuspecting foreign workers wanting to get documents to legalise their stay.

The public has also been advised not to make any payments to such groups claiming to register illegal immigrants in Sabah.