Call on NRD to resolve issues affecting Sulang’s family
KUCHING: Four nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) are calling upon the National Registration Department (NRD) to resolve the identity problems affecting the family members of the late Sulang Entra from Kampung Mawang in Balai Ringin.
Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS), Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S), Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) and Borneo Indigenous People Pact (BIPP) are also appealing to the department to ‘clean up procedures and rectify flaws’ in processing applications of Sulang’s children and many others like them in Sarawak.
SAS spokesperson Dino Watson Ujah said Sulang died on Jan 14 this year without a Mykad, despite having been born in Sarawak in 1920.
According to Sulang’s sonin-law Michael Luang, Sulang was one of the pioneers of Kampung Tanah Mawang and the surrounding area.
“Luang expressed his anguish, hurt and disappointment over the injustice endured by his father-inlaw throughout his life, despite his dedication in providing a better life for his family,” said Dino in a statement yesterday.
“Sulang had tried, on multiple occasions, to obtain his rightful citizenship status.
“The last effort was made in July 2016, when the 95-year-old, who could no longer walk, was carried by one of his children to the JPN office at Jalan Simpang Tiga, accompanied by his (Sulang’s) 89year-old wife – after a three-hour journey from Balai Ringin.”
Dino believed that Sulang was born during a time when documentation was non-existent.
Sulang was unable to read or write and was cut off from urban centres, until a timber road came through in 1980s.
Sulang had no documents; however, he did obtain a Permanent Resident (PR) card.
His identity problems had adversely affected not only his own life, but also that of his family, with his nine children and 63 grandchildren and greatgrandchildren encountering identification issues.
According to Dino, representatives from the three other NGOs were also present during the funeral in Balai Ringin – among them were human rights activist Peter John Jaban from S4S, Ismail Lumut from BIPP and Bill Jugah from Sadia.
Dino said SAS supported the call by the three NGOs for NRD to step up its efforts in settling this matter and other genuine cases in a timely fashion.
“NRD’s procedures must be transparent and consistent, as well as responsive to the needs of rural residents.”
Dino said while the taskforce had made great progress, it must be allowed to proceed with its work, and be strengthened to allow these identity issues be settled once and for all.
Meanwhile, Peter believed that there were many cases in which innocent children were punished ‘for the perceived sins of their parents’.
In his remarks, Bill lamented that Sulang’s case should not have dragged on for so long, believing that there were many others from the area who had received their MyKad, but Sulang’s was not forthcoming until his demise.