KUALA LUMPUR – A DAP representative’s decision to hold a briefing programme on the issue of citizenship is dangerous and akin to “burning Malaysia”, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari claimed.
Fadhli said that a political party should not handle such matters, as they are specifically under the National Registration Department (NRD) and Home Ministry.
“Do not ever dare to do stupid things if you do not want to face legal action later.
“(The representative’s) friends in the government should not pretend to be angry; you are helping to fuel the fire,” he said.
Fadhli insisted that DAP provide a thorough explanation of the steps taken by Yeap Choon Keong, who claimed to be the party’s Citizenship Programme director in Penang and purportedly assisted in obtaining citizenship for several individuals.
“According to the data in his social media, six cases were resolved in May 2024, five in April, and three in March.
“Please explain what ‘cables’ were used to make this person’s efforts effective. Are the normal methods used by the NRD and the Home Ministry not enough to address this matter?” he asked.
Based on posters recently shared by DAP leaders, the citizenship briefing programme is scheduled for June 30 in Johor Bahru, and it is open to all races, especially to people in the B40 bracket.
The programme incited controversy by sparking ire among netizens over its organisation. They argued that matters relating to citizenship allocation fell under the purview of the Home Ministry, not a political party.
The netizens said that if the programme, scheduled to be organised by Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen, were to proceed, it would only ignite political, religious and racial controversies. They further urged the authorities to scrutinise the organiser’s intentions.
Subsequently, Umno Youth urged DAP’s leadership, who were involved, to explain, considering the sensitivity of the matter among Malaysians.
Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh also sarcastically questioned whether the programme would include Bahasa Melayu lessons for obtaining citizenship.
Following the flak, the programme was postponed without any further explanation.
However, Chen said through a Facebook post that he hoped no parties would make speculations following the misunderstanding from the programme’s poster.
He said the briefing session was related to those who did not have citizenship status or birth certificates due to their parents’ negligence, or other reasons. – June 9, 2024