The National Registration Department (NRD) said that the purported written directive for unclaimed identity cards to be sent to Sabah was fake.

In a press release today, NRD director-general Jariah Mohd Said noted that there were five issues with the circular which were suspect.

NONEAmong others, Jariah pointed out that the reference number for the purported instruction "Bil.14/2012", purportedly issued on Dec 14, 2012, did not exist.

She said that the last order that was issued was "Bil.10/2012" on Dec 24, 2012 which relates to handling applications to change the religious status of an identity card card holder in Sabah.

Other issues which she said made the letter suspect was the fact that the letterhead used the address of NRD's information technology and communications division address, and that the reference number had mentioned "JPN.MK.(S)" which is not a reference number for circulars containing instructions.

Mahfuz unfazed

Jariah added that a police report was lodged yesterday about the fake circular.

She was referring to PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar's claim that he had received a letter which appeared to be a circular from NRD headquarters ordering state NRD directors to send identity cards which are not claimed in 18 months, to Sabah.

Mahfuz said that the letter was sent to him anonymously and could not verify the authenticity of the document, but he made the matter public in hope that the authorities would look into the matter.

In an immediate reaction to the NRD, Mahfuz said he had never claimed that the circular was authentic and he would cooperate with the police if he is called up.

However, he said that the authorities should respond to allegations within the circular and inform the public whether there was an instruction to return the unclaimed identity cards.

He said there is a fear that unclaimed identity cards could be abused by rouge NRD officials to pad up the electoral roll in Sabah.

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