By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, July 29: Home Affairs Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says a Pakatan Harapan (PH) Special Team in Sarawak has been set up to handle citizenship application which is a federal duty.
“It is the federal’s responsibility. Let the federal department itself and the ministry ourselves handle it,” said Muhyiddin was asked by the media with regards to the dissolution of Sarawak Special Committee which has been helping stateless children in Sarawak to apply for Malaysian citizenship.
The committee was headed by Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
“Before, the role (of the Special Committee) was to help. But now we have set up a Special Team. So we think we will not burden Sarawak Government with the duty. We will do it ourself.
“Except I urge the Sarawak government to work together with us, that the YB (Fatimah) will help, to raise any issue on citizenship at state level.
“It (citizenship issue) can be brought to the state director here in Kuching, Sarawak or direct to federal.
“This, we will inform Sarawak government when I meet up (later) with Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg). During the meeting, I will explain again,” said Muhyiddin when presenting citizenship certificates to 31 recipients at UTC Kuching here today.
He assured Sarawakians that there is no ‘back door process’ in approving citizenship applications as some have claimed.
In deciding whether to approve or disapprove an application, Muhyiddinbsaid he is assisted by professional officers in performing their duties.
“Each application along with the supporting documents will be carefully and thoroughly reviewed by my ministry officers before any recommendations are made, and for me to make a decision,” he said.
He also assured Sarawakians that PH government will always be fair in considering all applications.
“Anyone entitled to citizenship under the Federal Constitution and relevant laws will be given fair consideration regardless of whether the applicant is Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Bidayuh, Murut or any other ethnic group.
“Every applicant must be treated fairly regardless of the background of their race and religion. Therefore I would also like to emphasise that there is no back door in this matter,” he assured. — DayakDaily
