Ex-MNLF fighter tells how he got Sabah IC

A FORMER Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighter, who came to Sabah almost 40 years ago, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) investigating the problem of illegal immigrants in the state, that he obtained identification documents by applying to the authorities. !Abdul Halil Aranial, who entered Sabah in 1975, said he used IMM13 temporary identification passes issued to Filipino refugees for 19 years before applying for an identification card (IC). !Abdul Halil, 59, said he applied for permanent resident status at the Sabah National Registration Department (NRD) in 2009, and a red MyPR card was issued the same year. The 26th witness, who came in a speed boat with six other MNLF fighters and officers, said he has been using the MyPR card since then and has also applied for a MyKad.

"I applied for a MyKad because I want to become a Malaysian citizen," said Abdul Halil who has three wives and 13 children who are also holders of the MyPR card. !When conducting officer Jamil Aripin asked whether he planned to return to his native Philippines, he said he would like to visit family members if the situation in the country's southern region improved. !Jamil, who is known as "Commander Janggut", said he was appointed as village chief at a settlement scheme in Taman Kota Keningau in 2008 to manage the Filipino refugees there. !Meanwhile, two Indians and a Pakistani in their statement said they did not wait long to get their blue identification card and MyKad. Bernama