This Content Is Only For Subscribers
by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, June 16: After 24 years of waiting, Bong Shi Hui was visibly emotional after her Malaysian citizenship application was approved by the Home Ministry.
Minister for Women, Childhood And Community Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah revealed that Bong’s adopted parents had registered her Malaysian Citizenship application under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution at the National Registration Office (JPN) in Sarawak in 2018 after they adopted her in 2017.
Fatimah said that Bong’s citizenship application was also presented at a meeting by a special citizenship committee to support her application.
“Today, a letter of approval on her citizenship from the Home Ministry was presented to Bong. Usually, the Home Ministry will send this letter to the applicant and our ministry would be informed. So today is a special day for the family, ” she told reporters at a press conference at her ministry today.
Fatimah went on to explain that under special circumstances, the Federal government will allow any person under the age of 21 to be registered as a Malaysian citizen as they see fit, under Article 15A.
She also revealed that the Home Ministry had finally resolved 946 cases under Article 15A in June and the cases await further management.
“With this citizenship, Bong can now apply for indicator ‘K’ on her identification card as she is a citizen resident in Sarawak. This would help her in getting a job as required by Labour and Immigration Law,” she said.
Also present at the press conference were Bong’s adopted parents, Bong Kong Jin and Kong Nguh Shan. — DayakDaily
