Syndicates No Longer Involved In Distributing ICs In Sabah

PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry has confirmed that syndicates were no longer involved in widespread distribution of Malaysian Identification Cards (ICs) in Sabah.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said such cartels no longer exist as individuals were among the perpetrators of handing out forged documents.

"If there were cartels before this, then they no longer exist,"

"But if there are any individuals involved, the public should keep us informed so that we can monitor (the activity) and take legal action," he told a press conference, here, today.

Zahid added the government had detained some 94 people, including National Registration Department officers, individuals, and several political leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA) before the legislation was repealed.

"The distribution of ICs to foreigners is not politically motivated but done by individuals who want to make profit," he said.

He also said the ministry would use a new standard operating procedure (SOP) to determine the status of those with "green identification cards" who were neither citizens or permanent residents.

He added the new method will be use to identify the stateless individuals based on recommendations and suggestions made in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Sabah which was released recently. - NST