Home ministry denies appointing parties to issue ID cards to illegals

PM Dr Mahathir said there are 7 million foreign workers in Malaysia, many of them illegal

(FMT) – The home ministry has clarified that it does not recognise any foreign migrant documentation data card issued by the private sector.

Yesterday, the Sepanggar Youth movement of United Pasok Momogun KadazanDusun Murut Organisation (Upko) had lodged a police report over a viral photo of a data card that states the nationality of the worker as “Sabah”.

The card is believed to have been issued by a company named Mega Management Consultancy Sdn Bhd.

“The ministry has received information on the activities of several companies and organisations going around collecting information, registering and issuing documentation cards to foreigners, especially illegal immigrants.

“They are becoming more active of late and the ministry has also received complaints from employers and the public confused and feeling cheated by the agents who work for the companies issuing these documentation cards.

“They were charged a fee but the cards doe not serve any purpose,” the ministry said in a statement.

Towards this end, the ministry said it has never appointed any party, including Mega Management Consultancy Sdn Bhd, to carry out data collection on foreign workers or any individuals facing citizenship problems in Sabah.

“The card issued by the firm does not have any significance and certainly cannot be used to determine and grant citizenship,” it said.

The ministry said a police report had also been made to deny the home ministry’s involvement in such activities.

Towards this end, the ministry urged the public to engage with any companies claiming to be doing a census or issuing documentation cards to foreigners.

It states that under Section 56 (1) (d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, any parties found harbouring illegal immigrants in Malaysia face a fine of up to RM100,000 for each migrant they are protecting or jail up to five years, plus caning.