Although Mismah, the much talked-about voter, claims that she obtained Malaysian citizenship through legal channels, PAS Youth is questioning the rationale making her a permanent residency (PR) and then citizen, saying this goes against immigration policy.

NONE In a statement issued yesterday, Johor PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat ( left ) pointed out that Mismah - whose real name is Nismah Naim and who originated from Bawean island, Indonesia - was not eligible to obtain PR status or citizenship under immigration rules.

According to the National Registration Department (NRD), she was granted permanent residency on July 17, 1982, and citizenship on Jan 31, 2011, after 29 years as a permanent resident.

In an interview with Malay daily Sinar Harian , Mismah, 47, claimed that she entered Malaysia in 1982 as a construction worker. Her husband Mawasi Mawardi, 51, has also obtained PR status.

“This means Mismah obtained PR status in less than a year after she resided in this country. Mismah’s case contradicts the statement by Immigration Department director-general Alias Ahmad,” said Suhaizan.

According to a news report published by Utusan Malaysia on Sept 23, Alias - responding to allegation that Bangladeshis were given citizenship to vote for BN - had said only foreigners married to Malaysians and their children under the age of six and who have resided in Malaysia for at least five consecutive years were eligible to apply for PR. This is stated in the Immigration Act 1963.

azlan Alias explained that the Immigration Department disallows foreigners with temporary working permits from applying for PR.

“Applications are also open to investors, experts and professionals who are recognised by regulatory agencies,” he added.

PAS Youth also found that the Immigration Department stipulates that only foreigners with entry permits who have resided in Malaysia for at least five years can apply for PR.

Those eligible for entry permits are:

  1. Professionals
  2. Children of professionals under six years old
  3. Spouses of professionals
  4. Individuals who obtain approval from the Home Ministry due to national economic importance
  5. Children of citizens under six years old
  6. Special cases

Therefore, Suhaizan pointed out, the issuing of PR to Mismah had violated at least four criteria - she is not a professional; her husband is neither a citizen nor a professional; and she had resided in Malaysia for less than a year.

“PAS Youth has asked Alias to explain this to the people of Malaysia.”

'Just one example'

The Youth wing also urged NRD director-general Jariah Mohd Said to explain why Mismah was given PR, followed by citizenship.

mismah in sinar harian 140811 front page story image “Mismah is just an example. PAS Youth is also worried about the issuance of citizenship to thousands of foreigners in this country.

"The issuance of citizenship to those unqualified for the sake of political interests is a betrayal to the nation,” stressed Suhaizan.

According to NRD, the Home Ministry had approved citizenship for 29,290 applicants between April 9, 2009, and July 15, 2011, as part of Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s key performance index.

This is out of more than 72,334 pending applications.

“A total of 219,000 applications were resolved, including 72,334 citizenship applications, 31,449 applications for permanent residency, 108,906 applications following late registration of birth and 6,311 applications under the MyDaftar programmes,” Jariah said in an earlier statement.

The controversy surrounding Mismah was raised when she was found to be listed as a PR on the NRD website, but as a voter on the Election Commission website.

The NRD had, within hours of Malaysiakini ’s checks, changed her status to ‘citizen’ and later clarified that Mismah had been a permanent resident for 29 years before being granted citizenship.

It was claimed that the NRD database accessible to members of the public had not been updated to reflect this.