“It’s ironic that the Code of Ethics of the National Registration Department (NRD) promises ‘integrity and objectivity” and claims to be “unbiased and unselfish’.”
“The approval of Ragad Waleed Al-Kurdi’s application for citizenship, within such a short period of time, clearly shows heavy hidden hands that pushed for it to be speeded up.”
In an ideal situation like this, it should take Ragad at least seven years before becoming a Malaysian citizen, she added. “In most cases, it takes more than 10 years for the application of a foreign wife of a Malaysian citizen to be approved.”
The MP held that there are two ways that Ragad could have become a citizen of Malaysia i.e. under Article 15 (1) or through naturalization under Article 19.
“This requires an applicant to be over the age of 21, and having resided in the Federation for a period of not less than 10 years in a period of 12 years, including the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application,” said Kasthuri.
Using simple logic, she added, Ragad would have had to be on the same waiting list as all other applicants and would still have her application in process.
Before one can be registered as a citizen under Article 15 (1), as the lawful wife of a citizen, she needs to obtain an entry permit from the Immigration Department, pointed out the MP.
“Section 10 of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 states that she can only apply for citizenship after completing five years of residence in Malaysia and an additional two years after getting the entry permit.”
The NRD, using the same “rules” as in Ragad’s case, should process and approve the tens of thousands of other applications in the country especially from people who are already Malaysians, she continued.
“Ragad for one will not know of all the suffering of the people of Sarawak waiting to be treated as Malaysian citizens.”
Kasthuri was taking her cue from Ragad being seen casting her vote during the May 7 Sarawak state election. “She was accompanied by an entourage of assistants and police escorts.”
“It’s anyone’s guess whether she voted in the 13th General Election in May 2013 or in the 10th Sarawak State Elections in April 2011.
There are thousands of people in Malaysia, including the Orang Asal, the native sons and daughters of Sarawak, who have been perpetually on a never-ending waiting list of those who have applied to become citizens of the country, said Kasthuri. “They remain in a limbo.”
The MP said that she has since learnt that the Orang Asal in Sarawak are not allowed to visit even Peninsular Malaysia. “They are still waiting to be legally recognized as Malaysian citizens in a country where their ancestors had toiled the land for centuries.”
“They are unable to enjoy their indigenous rights. Their children are stripped of their rights to education and healthcare.”