By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 4: There are still ambiguities and uncertainties as to the procedure and requirement for applying for ‘K’ status in identity cards (ICs) for children born or legally adopted in Sarawak despite assurances by the State government, says former Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang.
In a statement issued today, Chang referred to a recent letter from JPN Sarawak rejecting the K-indicator application of one of the children whom she has helped to obtain citizenship in 2023.
She explained that the child was born in Sibu to a Sarawakian father and a foreign mother and that the parents got married after the birth of the child, hence a citizenship application is required.
She added that the biological parents’ information is available and registered in the child’s birth certificate, which also clearly reflects the biological father’s status as a K-indicator holder.
“I am perplexed that, despite this, JPN Sarawak still rejected the K-indicator application based on the confirmation by the Immigration Department of Sarawak.
“Pursuant to Section 4 of the Legitimacy Act 1961, the child has been legitimated from the date of the marriage of both the parents, and as such, the Sarawak government should consider the child as a Sarawakian based on his biological father’s Sarawakian status.
“Both parents together with the said child and other children of the marriage are now residing in Sibu,” she said.
She added that despite assurances from the Sarawak government that the K-indicator issue would be resolved and was recently said to be approved by the Sarawak Cabinet to allow JPN Sarawak to insert the ‘K’ indicator into the identity cards of successfully adopted children of Sarawakian parents, relevant government departments have still not received the Circular or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with regards to K-indicator applications.
“There are still ambiguities and uncertainties as to the procedure and requirement for applying for the ‘K’ indicator in the identity cards.
“I, therefore, urge the Sarawak government to look into this matter with utmost urgency, as many of these children (few of whom are now adults), despite being granted Malaysian citizenship, are still unable to procure employment in Sarawak without first obtaining an Employment Pass.
“These individuals are not even given the opportunity to contribute to our State’s economy, despite being born and bred in Sarawak,” she said. — DayakDaily
