KUALA LUMPUR: The Sabah Government has no authority to issue its own identity cards despite special provisions for the state under Article 161E(4) of the Federal Constitution, the Home Ministry said.
The ministry said this in a written reply to an oral question by Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Madius Tangau during the Dewan Rakyat sitting here on Wednesday.
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Madius had asked whether Article 161E(4) allows the Sabah Government to issue its own identity cards.
According to the Home Ministry, Article 161E(4) does not confer such power and is intended only to protect the state’s immigration authority, particularly over entry into Sabah and residence, as provided under federal law, adding that it does not extend Sabah’s jurisdiction to create or issue identity cards.
The Ministry said matters of citizenship and population registration fall under federal jurisdiction pursuant to Articles 14 to 15 of the Federal Constitution and the Ninth Schedule, implemented through the National Registration Act 1959 and its regulations, which vest responsibility for identity card issuance solely with the National Registration Department.
