Salleh wants federal government to revamp Sabah NRD

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 29 - Former chief minister Datuk Salleh Said Keruak has called on the federal government to revamp, and appoint a Sabahan to lead the National Registration Department (NRD) in the state.

He said such a move was necessary in order to quash the public's negative perceptions towards the NRD with regard to the issuance of citizenship status.

"If there is no Sabahan officer senior enough in the federal civil service (to hold the post) then they should work with the Sabah government to appoint a senior state officer on a contract basis.

"There should be a mechanism for this and I think if everybody is sincere, this can be done," he said here today.

Salleh was commenting on the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation's (Upko) unhappiness over the way the NRD handled the plight of 78-year old Yong Lee Hua, a Sino-Kadazan, who was issued with a red identity card, with a status of a permanent resident, when she went to replace her blue IC that had she lost in a supermarket in Penampang last year.

Salleh said that downgrading the status of a native to that of a permanent resident was unacceptable.

"Something is not right. Furthermore, there are accusations that illegal immigrants have acquired MyKad through dubious means and some cases have been proven true in court.

"That's why there is an urgent need to revamp the state NRD. We don't want the public to perceive that members of the Sino-Kazadan community are second class citizens, not natives," he said.

Asked about the recent statement by Upko deputy president Datuk Wilfred Bumburing, who threatened to review the party's position in the BN if the NRD's mistake was not rectified, Salleh said he hoped that Upko would not use the issue to leave the BN.

"Obviously it was not the BN's fault. We don't want a small matter like this to explode into a big issue or a political issue that may undermine the political stability in the country.

"We should look at the root of the matter. If it is because of the error of the officer concerned, then that officer must be removed and, likewise, if it is because of the policy, then the policy must be changed," he said. - Bernama