This includes IMM13, Kad Burung Burung and census certificates in the state.

“We would like to stress that PSS holders remain as immigrants and it is not a guarantee that they will obtain citizenship or permanent resident status or entry permit,” it said in a statement.

The PSS issue has gained traction once more with the opposition raising concerns during their campaign trail in the Kimanis parliamentary by-election.

Penampang Umno chief Hasnol Ayub said the granting of the document would be the “first step” to citizenship.

The home ministry has plans to issue the Sabah temporary pass (PSS) from June 1 to 136,055 holders of the current three documents as a standardised identification document.

The ministry had previously said that PSS holders would never be granted citizenship.

The ministry went on to describe the issuance of the PSS as a “noble initiative” to curb the falsifying of documents in the state, saying the pass was equipped with safety features, including biometrics, that would help authorities monitor the holders.