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A day in the life of a stateless child

Ten-year-old Suki Wong Pei Yee, who does not possess Malaysian citizenship, has been taking care of her father alone since her mother passed away.

Ahmad Sadiq Mohamad Sani
1 minute read
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A photo of Suki, taken when she was nine years old, hangs on side of the fridge in the small flat where she lives with her father in Damansara Damai.
A photo of Suki, taken when she was nine years old, hangs on side of the fridge in the small flat where she lives with her father in Damansara Damai.
Every morning, she does the chores that her mother did before she passed away last year, starting with the laundry.
Suki also does the dishes, standing on a plastic stool in order to reach the tap in their small kitchen.
After she finishes the chores, it’s time to go to the nearby supermarket to pick up the few essential items that she and her father need.
This is also Suki’s job, as the steps leading down from their flat above a shoplot would be too much for her father to navigate.
Cheap, easy-to-store food like instant noodles are the easiest to buy.
Suki looks at the stationery section of the small supermarket. She longs to go to school but cannot as she does not have Malaysian citizenship.
Suki waits in line at the check-out counter to pay for the few things she has picked out.
Then, she walks home, a small figure making her way through the streets and alleyways.
When she gets home, she sets out the food on the table and prepares a plate to take to her father.
Together, father and daughter enjoy their simple meal.