By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 16: The temporary document for Sarawak-born individuals without citizenship (DSITKS) is a compact identity instrument issued by the Sarawak government that will allow individuals to access public schools and healthcare services in Sarawak.
Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said that the issuance of DSITKS is complementary to the instruction of Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to use the citizenship application receipt under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution issued by the National Registration Department (NRD) for school admission and access health services provided by the government in Sarawak.
“With the DSITKS that is approved by the Premier of Sarawak’s Department, public schools and healthcare facilities are able to obtain the information of the holders.
“The presentation of the DSITKS to eligible children today is also timely considering that the new academic year for 2023/2024 will start on March 20, 2023,” she said at the ceremony to present DSITKS to 45 children and individuals at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
Fatimah said the Ministry has coordinated the implementation of the temporary document with important Sarawak and Federal government’s agencies, especially the NRD Sarawak, Sarawak Education Department and Sarawak Health Department for the instrument to have legal force.
The DSITKS initiative was approved by the Sarawak government on July 21, 2022 and applications for those eligible below the age of 21 years old was opened on Nov 1, 2022.
Between Nov 1, 2022 and March 10, 2023, Fatimah informed that they have received 394 applications for DSITKS and of the figure, 175 applicants have fulfilled the requirements while 219 were ineligible as they failed to meet the requirements.
“So far, a total of 86 eligible applicantions have been approved by the Premier’s Department and issued with a temporary document on Feb 24, 2023. Of that, 12 recipients have obtained their citizenship under Article 15A from the Home Minister on March 9, 2023.
“As such, the remaining 73 applications have been issued with temporary documents in the first batch,” she explained.
To further ensure the success of the DSITKS, Fatimah said the Ministry also collaborated with Resident and District Offices as well as key strategic partner agencies including Immigration Department of Malaysia, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit and Administrative Unit in the Premier’s Department.
“This is a manifestation of Sarawak government’s commitment to the universal agenda, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989 and Sustainable Development Goals (SGSs) 2030,” she emphasised. — DayakDaily
