NRD graft probe: Saifuddin to disclose name of officer to MACC

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will submit the name of a National Registration Department officer accused of requesting a bribe from a citizenship applicant to MACC chief Azam Baki.

The minister said he received a complaint claiming the officer contacted the applicant to ask for money in return for informing the person that the application has been approved.

"Today I will submit the name to Azam to assist MACC's investigation," he said during a post-cabinet meeting press conference in Putrajaya today.

Saifuddin said the action followed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's statement on Monday that a graft case involving the NRD and citizenship approvals had been brought to his attention.

Quizzed if internal action had been taken against the officer, Saifuddin said more information would be revealed after the officer’s name is submitted.

No charges

Saifuddin stressed that there are no charges related to citizenship applications or approvals, and the public should report any such attempts to solicit payment to the MACC.

"I want to inform the public, whatever the dealings (with NRD) - birth certificate, citizenship or others - there are no charges involved," he said.

For citizenship applications, Saifuddin said there is a committee tasked to deliberate on each case based on existing rules, circulars, and other related matters.

"The committee will make their suggestions and I have the final authority to approve or reject the application.

"If it has been approved, then just come and collect (the documents). If anyone asked for any payment, just ignore them," he said.

Saifuddin admitted that the situation was identified partly because of his efforts to expedite the citizenship application process, some of which had been pending for over a decade.

He also noted that similar incidents could have been happening since before he took office seven months ago.

Yesterday, NRD director-general Zamri Misman said the department viewed such matters seriously and would not compromise with any of its officers found to be involved in corruption or abuse of power.

He also said the department was improving procedures in issuing identification documents.

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