195 citizenship applications from Sarawak govt
KUCHING: The Home Ministry has received 195 citizenship applications from the Sarawak government since last November.
This was revealed by state Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah here yesterday.
She said the applications were compiled by a task force, formed two years ago following the call by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to address the problem involving stateless children.
She said checks showed that there were many children, mostly from rural areas, who were unable to continue their studies as they did not have a MyKad despite being Malaysian.
“They also cannot enjoy other assistance given by the government, such as textbooks, uniforms, food aid and monetary allowance under Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pelajar Miskin,” she said at the Baitulmakmur Building here.
“Most of them failed to obtain their citizenship due to their parents’ improper marriage process, especially (in cases) when their mothers were foreigners.
“For instance, if the children are born before their parents are married, the children will follow the mother’s nationality.
“Even if the father is a Malaysian, if they don’t have a marriage document, their child will not obtain Malaysian citizenship.”
She said the task force was formed to help stateless children gain citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution.
“We have forwarded 195 applications to the Home Ministry and we hope to get good news soon,” she said.
The task force, she said, continued to organise campaigns and seminars to raise awareness about the importance of sorting our their children’s identification cards before they started schooling.
“Those who have not registered their marriage must do so. We have informed village heads to help us deal with the issue.
“We are also looking into cases involving unwed and single mothers (if their children are stateless).”