SIBU: The long-awaited moment has arrived for 60 Sarawakians who were previously stateless, as they are about to receive their Malaysian citizenship approval letters, according to Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development in the state revealed on Tuesday (July 11) that 40 of these individuals will be presented with their letters on July 24.
Taking place at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will personally hand over the approval letters to 40 of them, while the remaining 20 will receive their documentation in separate ceremonies, Fatimah announced after presenting temporary identification documents (TID) to six stateless children under the age of 21.
The recipients of the TID included four young individuals from Sarikei Division and two from Sibu Division.
Regarding the TID, Fatimah disclosed that, as of June 30 this year, out of the 634 applications received, a total of 189 had been approved. Valid for two years, the TID provides stateless children with access to education and healthcare.
The document can only be obtained by stateless applicants aged 21 and below, who have applied for Malaysian citizenship under Section 15A of the Federal Constitution, she clarified.
Out of the 189 approved applications, 18 individuals have already received their Malaysian citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution. Furthermore, 289 applicants have met the stipulated requirements, while the remaining 345 applications were unsuccessful.
Fatimah emphasized that most of the rejected applications were from children without birth certificates. She strongly advised parents to apply for birth certificates for their children, regardless of their age, as it would expedite the TID application process.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
