Sabah MyKad Scandal: MP Eric

KOTA KINABALU (5 October, 2008): The surname and address on his MyKad are the same as the ones belonging to Sepanggar member of parliament Datuk Eric Majimbun, but they are not related. Neither do they know each other.

The MyKad carries the name Jerome Majimbon and the address is Kampung Pomotodon, Jalan Kionsom, Inanam.

In Sabah, people are regarded as having the same surname despite a slight variation in spelling.

Majimbun said: "I was surprised because we don't have a relative with such a name and the people in Kampung Pomotodon are unaware of the existence of such a person in the village."

He found out that the man in question was a Filipino illegal immigrant whose real name is Jerom Maguil.

Majimbun wants answers from the Home Ministry and the National Registration Department (NRD) on how the man had obtained the MyKad bearing the number 560930-12-5739.

"I have written to the secretary-general of the Home Ministry but I have yet to receive a reply," he said yesterday.

He cited the case to support his contention that the issuance of fake MyKad in Sabah was rampant.

He said a constituent of his was also given permanent resident status despite being born in Sabah long before it had joined the federation of Malaysia.

"How is it possible that a Malaysian, who has been here for years and years, is denied a MyKad and citizenship and yet there are many cases of foreigners who obtain MyKad through dubious means?"

He said the government should set up a body to deal with issues related to dubious MyKad holders.

He said there were many discrepancies in the issuing of MyKad by the NRD, but nothing had been done to correct them. He said although the state government had set up a committee to look into the matter, it had not made a difference.

"The problem has been going on for more than 30 years. We should have a computerised monitoring system but, since it is too late, we should start at the beginning.

"A royal commission would be a good idea, but this has been rejected by the government."

"In Sabah, we have the Sabah Registration of Births and Deaths Ordinance 1953 which states that all late registrations have to be done in court proceedings through a first class magistrate. Has this really been done?"

Majimbun, who is deputy president of the Sabah Progressive Party which pulled out of Barisan Nasional, reiterated his call for a study on the 285 per cent growth in population in Sabah over 30 years. He heads the party's foreigners and MyKad issues bureau.

By : Julia Chan (NST online 5/10/2008) More on New Sabah Times and 'Loopholes' behind IC scam and more..