‘Easy citizenship’ claims: NRD lodges police report against Facebook, Twitter users

PUTRAJAYA: The National Registration Department (NRD) has lodged a police report over viral news on social media, claiming that it has granted MyKads to Chinese nationals recently, says Datuk Ruslin Jusoh (pic).

The NRD director-general said the report was lodged at Putrajaya Police District Headquarters on Monday (Sept 9) morning.

"We hope the police will investigate the spread of these fake news thoroughly.

"We will also engage the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia commission (MCMC) to check on social media users who spread news even before verifying its authenticity. The ramification of the recent fake news involving the department has caused concern among the public," he told a press conference on Monday (Sept 9).

Ruslin said the first piece of fake news involving allegations that MyKad were issued to five Chinese nationals.

"Actually, this issue had gone viral since 2015. The real story was the five Chinese nationals pictured holding the MyKad were part of a document forgery syndicate.

"The case was being handled by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). It is an old fake news that is still played up by social media users," he said.

The second fake news being spread is about a female Chinese national, who has a MyKad, he added.

"The woman is actually a wife of a Malaysian man, and she was granted citizenship as she has meet all the necessary requirements.

"She has been married for 20 years and she also had Permanent Resident status before getting citizenship. The woman also stayed in Malaysia after getting citizenship, and she even has a Malaysian passport," Ruslin said.

He hoped that social media users will stop with all the baseless allegations against the NRD.

"We follow strict regulations in granting citizenship, as it is based on the Federal Constitution and the National Registration Act. The question of where they are from never arises when considering citizenship for any applicant.

"The fake news about the woman in the second case started last year, but she was granted citizenship in 2017," he said,

Ruslin called on social media users to be more responsible and not to easily spread unverified news or information, be it via Facebook, Twitter or Whatsapp.

"I have received a lot of forwarded messages recently, and I find that it is too easy for people to share or spread unverified news.

"The department will leave the matter to the police and relevant authorities," he said.

Asked whether the spread of fake news involving the department was politically motivated, Ruslin said he would not speculate on the matter.

"Our role as an agency under the Home Ministry is to conduct our duties based on existing laws and regulations," he said.

Ruslin also called on anyone who has any grouses against the department to come forward as soon as possible.

"We will take stern action against any personnel who are involved in unlawful activities," he said.