KOTA KINABALU: The issuance of a separate Sabah identity card (IC) is the most effective solution to authenticate the identity of Sabahans, according to Sabah STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (pic).
He said while the proposal by former chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Salleh Said Keruak to re-register MyKads for all original Sabahans could offer some relief, it would not resolve the longstanding problems of migrants with unverified documents.
"I remain sceptical about its effectiveness in fully addressing these longstanding issues.
"If re-registration alone could resolve these challenges, it would have been resolved years ago," said Kitingan, who is Deputy Chief Minister I.
He argued that the persistence of these issues highlighted the need for a more specialised solution, which he believes would be provided by the introduction of the Sabah IC.
"Unlike re-registering MyKad, the Sabah IC would be tailored specifically to Sabah's needs.
"This dedicated identification system would allow us to manage and authenticate the identities of Sabahans independently," Kitingan said.
He said the Sabah IC would provide an additional layer of verification, making it easier for authorities to distinguish genuine Sabahans from those with questionable documentation.
Kitingan added that it would also enable Sabahans to gain easier access to state-specific resources, employment opportunities, and educational benefits—resources that have been diluted by unverified claims.
To ensure its integrity, Kitingan emphasised that the Sabah IC must incorporate stringent security features that make it difficult to forge and easy for authorities to verify.
He assured that Sabah STAR would work transparently with all stakeholders, including local communities, to ensure that the Sabah IC is developed and implemented effectively to serve the best interests of Sabahans.
"Our aim is to lay the foundation for a Sabah where every Sabahan’s identity and rights are secure, setting a new standard for governance and community trust.
"For Sabah STAR, the Sabah IC is the most practical and efficient solution to Sabah’s ongoing documentation challenges," he added.
Kitingan also pointed out that the widespread issue of unverified documentation in Sabah—such as the so-called "burung-burung" papers held by long-term foreign residents—has created significant challenges for security and governance.
Several studies have consistently shown that undocumented individuals make up a large portion of the population, which is impacting access to essential services and resources.
