“The holders are unclear of what they can and cannot do with the identification document.”
SIBU: The government has been urged to provide a comprehensive list on what a MyKAS (temporary resident card or green IC) holder can and cannot do, especially with respect to basic rights such as education, right to independence via transportation, right to free movement and right to employment.
Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang in a press statement said by giving a clear stand on the matter, it will be beneficial for the country as the affected people would be given the opportunity to serve the nation and state.
She made the call as she had been receiving complaints and feedback from these green IC holders.
“Two days ago, I was informed that five Chinese-Sarawakian children’s applications for MyKAS were successful, four of which were assisted by my office. However, the holders are unclear of what they can and cannot do with the identification document compared to holders of the standard blue MyKAD which all citizens are issued with,” she said.
Chang also discovered that several government departments were unable to fully ascertain the use of a MyKAS.
Many children and families had raised their concerns to her that their stateless children would be in trouble with the law and suspected to be illegal immigrants for not possessing any identification documents.
“Although MyKAS is a valid identification document issued by the National Registration Department (NRD) and must be carried by the holder at all times, there are still a number of limitations encountered by the MyKAS holders, especially in their daily lives,” she said.
She also revealed several cases involving MyKAS holders.
“There was a 17-year-old MyKAS holder who was questioned by the police for not having an identification card. There are also some banks which would only allow MyKAS holders to open a savings account on a case-by-case basis.
“A MyKAS holder in Kapit is now unable to renew his driving licence. When I made enquiries with JPJ Putrajaya and JPJ Sarawak, I was not able to obtain a consistent answer,” she said.
Another case concerns an 18-year-old whose MyKAS was confiscated due to his stateless status. The boy had also lost his driving licence. As a result, he could not bring one of his paralysed parents for medical check-ups and to lead an independent life.
“A MyKAS is a government-issued document and should be recognised by every government department and agency. The issuance of a MyKAS does not mean that a person would be considered a citizen.
“Nevertheless, this does not mean that they should not be allowed to access the basic necessities in their lives either, which have already been severely affected by the slow processing of citizenship applications and ambiguous criterion and conditions to be granted Malaysian citizenship,” Chang pointed out.
All related government departments and agencies have been strongly urged to work together with the National Registration Department (NRD) and to recognise the validity of MyKAS so that the holders can live a gainful life.
