Sarawak to issue temporary documents for stateless children

The Sarawak government will issue temporary documents for state-born individuals without citizenship below the age of 21. 

State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah said the documents were important, especially for children, to gain access to education and health services. 

"The right to education is a basic right for every child. This is also another effort by the state government to identify the number of stateless individuals," she told a press conference after the state assembly sitting in Kuching yesterday.

Fatimah said from Dec 2 onwards, the state ministry, with the cooperation of the National Registration Department, district offices and the Customs Department, would be at selected locations to conduct registration. 

"In Kuching, we know in the Desa Wira area, there are children who do not have documents and their citizenship status is not yet known," she said, adding that the team would head to other locations such as Sibu, Sepupok, Miri and Lawas as well. 

"Through the issuance of temporary documents for Sarawak-born stateless individuals, we will be able to know the number of people who are applying and also those waiting for approval," she said.

She also said the state ministry had received a total of 60 applications since Nov 1, adding that applications can be made directly through the ministry or at district offices.

Applicants must have a birth certificate registered in Sarawak and undetermined citizenship status. They must also have applied for Malaysian citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, she said.