PUTRAJAYA must recall and reissue MyKad in Sabah as it is the only way to resolve the state’s fake citizenship problem, said a local party today.

United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Wilfred Madius Tangau said the party will keep pressing the federal government to accept the proposal.

He said the proposal is contained in the Upko memorandum submitted to the federal-level committee looking into the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and that he wants the committee to resolve the fake citizenship issue.

“Upko is suspicious about the data given to the state on matters relating to citizenship.

“We cannot accept the statistics provided to us, and this is why Upko wants MyKad to be recalled and reissued.

“We are repeating this call because we believe that the state’s population data has been manipulated (by unknown individuals),” he said after chairing the first Upko supreme council meeting today.

Based on a census carried out every 10 years, he said, the population growth numbers do not add up.

He added that Upko has commissioned its own study on the matter.

“There is an extremely abnormal population growth, based on the census carried out in 1960, 1970 and 1980, whereas the number of births is growing at a logical pace.”

He said Upko’s study found that almost 80% of migrants holding fake MyKad had sought out agents, who charged fees, and the remainder was approached and offered citizenship.

Tangau said Upko has no qualms about not being selected to be part of the federal MA63 committee, but wants the panel to resolve Sabah’s migrant problem.

“Upko is more comfortable not being part of the committee, but what’s important is that our proposal is heard by the committee members.” – October 19, 2018.