A support letter purportedly endorsed by Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in 2019 has been misrepresented on social media by pro-Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) misinformation peddlers, claims party information chief Datuk Azis Jamman.

He warned that the misleading post, which has been making the rounds on social media, could confuse the public about the identification process and appeared aimed at undermining Warisan and its president.

“We strongly condemn the baseless and slanderous claim made by GRS supporters regarding the application letter in question,” Azis said in a statement on Thursday. 

He clarified that the support letter was for a MyKas application — a temporary identification document issued by the National Registration Department (JPN) — not MyKad, which is issued to Malaysian citizens.

The issuance of identification or citizenship documents is solely under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government through the National Registration Department. 

This social media pages, however, falsely claimed the 2019 letter — signed when Shafie was chief minister — was part of an attempt to grant identity cards to foreigners, he said. 

“This is not even an IC — it’s MyKas,” Azis explained. 

“It’s just a temporary document to allow movement for a certain period while they complete their documentation.”

He expressed concern that the misinformation could easily mislead the public, particularly those unfamiliar with the legal and procedural differences between MyKas and MyKad.

“They’re manipulating this issue to make people believe Warisan was handing out identity cards,” he said.

Azis said MyKas is typically issued to individuals born in Malaysia who are awaiting confirmation of citizenship due to incomplete documentation — a common problem in Sabah’s rural and island communities.

He pointed to widespread cases of late birth registration in remote areas across the state as being one of the common problems in the state. 

“You know, in these areas, babies are often born at home. When that happens, there are no birth records. And when JPN asks for documents like birth or marriage certificates — well, many kampung folks never registered their marriages,” he said, citing Pensiangan as one of the affected districts.

Azis said the letter signed by Shafie was one example of efforts to assist such individuals caught in similar documentation dilemma.

He said the lack of proper documents has left generations in Sabah without legal identity and access to basic services like education.

“When it’s time to send their kids to school, parents are forced to sort out the paperwork — otherwise, the children can’t go. That’s the issue.”

He stressed that MyKas does not confer citizenship and comes with an expiry date.

It only allows holders to travel locally and attend official appointments, such as with JPN or the Native Court.

“At least if there’s a roadblock or police check, they have something to show. It’s not citizenship,” he said.

Azis said Warisan would lodge a police report and urge authorities to investigate those behind the false claims.

“We will not take lightly any attempt to falsely accuse Warisan of supporting or facilitating the issuance of identity cards to illegal immigrants.”

He also urged the public to verify information they consume online, especially on social media, and to remain alert to politically motivated disinformation.

“Warisan remains committed to truth, justice, and the protection of Sabah’s rights,” he said.

Azis noted the situation reflects a familiar pattern of political attacks against Warisan, similar to those seen during the 2020 state election.

At the time, Warisan’s rivals accused the party of compromising Sabah’s sovereignty by introducing the controversial Pas Sementara Sabah (PSS) — despite it being a federal government initiative.

Azis, who was then deputy home minister, said he was duty-bound to push for the proposal.

The PSS aimed to consolidate and replace three outdated identification documents — the IMM13, Surat Burung-Burung, and the Kad Banci — issued to foreign nationals in Sabah.

However, the policy faced intense backlash, with critics claiming it would open a backdoor path to citizenship for long-staying immigrants.

The PSS issue became a major campaign point for Warisan’s opponents and is widely believed to have contributed to the party’s electoral defeat, even though it was cancelled in 2020. – April 3, 2025