KUCHING: Sarawak is looking for special powers to resolve citizenship points confronted by folks within the state, in keeping with its standing as an equal accomplice in Malaysia.
State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah stated this was necessary in order that affected kids might take pleasure in their primary rights, particularly training, whereas ready for his or her citizenship standing to be resolved.
“We request the Premier of Sarawak deliver up this matter with the Prime Minister in order that we might be given special powers on citizenship points,” she stated on the Sarawak Women’s Day celebration in Miri on Tuesday (March 8).
Fatimah stated the state’s special committee on citizenship had obtained 969 purposes underneath Article 15A of the Federal Constitution from 2016 to Oct 22 final yr.
To date, solely 253 had been authorized whereas the remainder had been nonetheless into consideration, she stated.
Article 15A covers citizenship purposes for people under 21 years outdated underneath special circumstances.
“What is basically stated is that whereas awaiting the Home Ministry’s determination, stateless kids are disadvantaged of their rights to training, healthcare, job alternatives and welfare help,” Fatimah stated.
Last month, a nine-year-old lady in Lawas was reportedly stopped from attending college pending approval of her citizenship standing.
According to native media stories, Jeanny Liana Ating’s mom Ruran Lukas obtained a textual content message saying that Jeanny was not allowed to attend SK Long Sebangang as she didn’t have identification paperwork.
She was nonetheless ready for her citizenship utility to be authorized regardless of being born and raised in Sarawak, due to her mother and father’ late marriage registration.
