PSS not a licence for citizenship, says Muhyiddin

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

KIMANIS: The proposed Sabah Temporary Pass (PSS) is no licence for citizenship, says Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“PSS is a step towards converting three documents issued to Philippine war refugees to one high-security card with biometric details.

“It is a different issue altogether. This has to do with immigration laws, ” he said after a gathering with Rela members at the Papar community hall yesterday.

Muhyiddin was referring to the controversial pass planned for June this year, involving 136,055 recipients, namely holders of IMM13 (51,645), Census certificates (47,518) and Burung-Burung cards (36,892).

He also revealed relevant dates and details of the meetings in 2015.

“Based on records in my ministry, the proposal for Pas Residen Sementara Sabah (PRESS) was presented and agreed upon during the main committee meeting for migrant management on July 31,2015, by the Sabah state secretary.

“The past administration decided the resident pass would be given to IMM13, Burung-Burung card and Census certificate holders.

“They also decided that standard operating procedures for this pass must take security into account.

“Thirdly, a special committee would be formed to go through every detail of the recommended pass, headed by the then Home Ministry secretary-general and the then Sabah state secretary, ” he said.

He said the proposed PRESS was approved at the pre-council meet of the said committee on Feb 15,2016.

“This proposal was also presented to the migrant management in the Sabah committee on May 16,2016, where it was chaired by the home minister, who was also the deputy prime minister, and the previous Sabah chief minister.

“After GE14, we had a re-look at PRESS and presented it to the new government.

“We agreed to the proposal being studied further with improvements made.

“Then it was presented to the main committee on Sept 6,2019 when we agreed to the implementation of this Sabah Temporary Pass.

“So I want to clarify that the idea to standardise the three documents was created before this current government was formed.

“The new government is responsible for the security of Sabahans, ” he said.

Muhyiddin said Pakatan Harapan was aware of the issue being played up in the Kimanis by-election.

He urged people to focus on the possible dangers if the government did not keep track of the movement and update data on the groups.

“They have been here for years and have children and families.

“It is not only Barisan, but generally Sabahans should not (reject it) as it is a good move to ensure a way to properly organise this problem.

“It is dangerous for Sabahans to suggest ‘don’t do this, leave it like that’.

“Do you suggest we just leave it like that and do nothing about it? It has gone on for years, ” he said.

He said PSS holders would not have the same rights as citizens as their movements were limited to Sabah and it was mainly for documentation for things like education, work, healthcare and marriage.

On Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s comparing the PSS issue with the Lahad Datu intrusion in 2013, he said: “We are talking about those who have been here for years. Don’t twist the issue.”