3 ‘stateless’ students receive attention
I will take up this issue of stateless students to the attention of the relevant authorities. They were born at Kapit Hospital 17 years ago. One of the parents, either father or mother, possesses Malaysian citizenship. They were born in Sarawak. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Deputy Chief Minister
KAPIT: Three stateless SMK Baleh Form 5 students are worried about what the future holds.
Science stream students Jess Larry Linggi, Angun Sigau, and Janessy Tony from Long Singguh, ulu Baleh, are described by their teachers as bright and with great potential.
The students claim their attempt to apply for personal documentation through the National Registration Department’s (JPN) mobile unit several years back failed.
Their predicament came to the attention of Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing during his recent visit to the school.
“I will take up this issue of stateless students to the attention of the relevant authorities. They were born at Kapit Hospital 17 years ago. One of the parents, either father or mother, possesses Malaysian citizenship. They were born in Sarawak.
“I see no reason why they can’t have their personal documentation, which is very, very important to them. Now they are in Form 5, sitting for SPM ( Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia), and next year they will need the documentation to further their studies, or apply for employment, or government assistance. Without the documentation, they will suffer the rest of their lives as stateless,” Masing said.
He pointed out that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had set a deadline to resolve the issue of stateless citizens, who are eligible to apply for identification documentation.
“I hope the relevant government agencies will adhere to the directive as given by the DPM in Kuching. Those rural folk who are eligible citizen but denied of Malaysian identity are suffering because they could not apply for any form of government assistance,” he added.
Jess, Angun, and Janessy previously attended SK Temenggong Koh, Nanga Antawau.