By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Dec 1: A total of 5,186 individuals have been approved for recognition as Sarawak Natives by the State government, out of 5,790 applications received to date, says Minister in the Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai.
Sikie, during his ministerial winding-up speech said that the Jawatankuasa Pengiktirafan Sebagai Bumiputera Sarawak (JPBS) has received and considered 5,790 applications thus far.
Out of the 5,186 applications that have been officially approved, he provided a detailed breakdown of the communities recognised.
“1,835 (35 per cent) were recognised as the Iban community, 1,718 (33 per cent) were recognised as the Bidayuh community, 601 (12 per cent) were recognised as the Malay community.
“336 (6 per cent) were recognised as the Melanau community, 199 (4 per cent) were recognised as the Murut or Lun Bawang community, 146 (3 per cent) were recognised as the Kenyah community, 144 (3 per cent) were recognised as the Kayan community and the remainder were from other communities,” he told the august House today.
Since January 1, 2025, all applications for Sarawak Native recognition have been made fully online through the Sarawak Native Recognition Application System (SARAS).
Sikie also pointed out that the SARAS system was enhanced on June 26, 2025 with the addition of an “Eligibility” check function.
This crucial feature ensures that only applications which fully meet the necessary prerequisites are processed and forwarded to the JPBS for consideration. — DayakDaily
