By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 13: Pending assembly woman Violet Yong (PH-DAP) urges for the recognition of children of Sarawakian fathers as Sarawakians by allowing “K” indicator in their identity cards.
Yong said the injustice has persisted for far too long against children born to Sarawakian fathers and foreign mothers before the registration of their parents’ marriage.
She cited two cases which were denied the “K” indicator on their identity cards. The first is Jee Tek Fung (WN. KP.070616-13-1185), and the second is Chai Joon Kiong (WN. KP.970407-13-6725).
“Under the current Sarawak’s policy, even when these category of children are granted Malaysian citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, they are still denied the “K” indicator on their identity cards.
“In other words, they are denied recognition as Sarawakians and treated as West Malaysian or Sabahans,” said Yong when debating the Motion of Thanks on the TYT’s Address at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly here today.
She said the relevant Minister in charge of this matter had previously stated many times that Malaysia-born children are eligible for the “K” indicator, provided one of their parents holds Sarawakian status.
“However, the reality on the ground tells a very different story.”
“If this policy truly exists, why are children of Sarawakian fathers such as Jee Tek Fung and Chai Joon Kiong still being denied the “K” indicator despite being Malaysian citizens? Why is there such a glaring inconsistency between what is publicly stated and what is actually implemented?” Yong questioned.
The Sarawak Government, she said, has already granted the “K” indicator generously to adopted stateless children as well as abandoned children placed in government welfare institutions who subsequently obtain Malaysian citizenship. Yet, children who carry the bloodline of a Sarawakian father, children rooted in this land continue to be excluded and treated as lower class.
“Is it logical? Is it fair to punish these children because of administrative policies and decisions made by the Sarawak Government? Where is the justice? These children were born here. They grew up here. They were educated here. Their lives, identity and future are deeply rooted in Sarawak. And yet, the system tells them: ‘You are not one of us’,” said Yong.
She thus called upon the Sarawak Government, including the Sarawak Immigration Department, the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development and all relevant agencies, to work closely with the National Registration Department to establish a clear, consistent, fair, and compassionate policy on the issuance of the “K” indicator and finally put an end to this long-outstanding injustice.
She held that Sarawak has immigration autonomy in this matter. To her, this is not a question of power or legal limitation. It is simply a question of political will, whether the Sarawak Government wants to recognise these children as Sarawakians or continue treating them as outsiders in their own homeland. —DayakDaily
