Media statement by Dr. Hiew King Cheu in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday, 1^st December 2011:

Ridiculous reply from Ministry

The question raised by me on why the people who had given up the Malaysian Citizenship and moved out from Malaysia are still listed as a voter in the electoral roll had received with a ridiculous answer from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The answer from the Ministry came as a surprise, because it said that those who had given up Malaysian Citizenship would not be a Malaysian anymore under the National Constitution Section 23 that the person will lose all his right and entitlement including voting right.

The Ministry also asked me if I have the details of these people who are still listed in the electoral roll, he is welcomed to furnish to the attention of the Ministry or to the Election Commission (SPR).

The type of answer is not only ridiculous but also not acceptable. The fact is that the Ministry of Home Affair is in charge of the handling of Immigration, National Registrar (JPN), and all the matters regarding Citizenships. The Ministry and its various departments are holding the details of all the Malaysians, including their where about and whether dead or alive. It is funny that the Ministry came round instead to ask me to furnish them the details if he has got it.

It is their job to advice SPR on all these details on those who has ceased to be a Malaysian. The department's computers surely have the full record and information, and to compile this information is easy. If they can give out and approved 91,190 new citizens with MYcard in the first 6 months in 2011, why can't they do this easy task to inform SPR on any one who ceased to be Malaysian? In Fact, it is their duty to inform immediately to JPN and SPR.

If the names of those who ceased to be Malaysian but remained as voters listed in the electoral roll, that means they can still vote without being noticed as long as they are still holding MYcard. It is believed that many names still existed in the roll.

I want the Ministry to immediately act upon this and to remove all the names of the people who ceased to be a Malaysian. This is in line to create a "Free and Clean" election and a thorough Electoral Reform in Malaysia. I also urge those who know about such names still listed in the electoral roll should inform SPR or my office.

* Dr Hiew King Cheu, MP for Kota Kinabalu