KUCHING, April 16: The State government should contemplate issuing a temporary card to stateless individuals aged 18 and above to pursue their education in State-run higher learning institutions, secure employment, apply for welfare aid, and have freedom of movement within Sarawak, said former Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang.
“This ‘Sarawak card’ should be subjected to a few criteria to be fulfilled by the applicant before approval, including that the individual has a ‘Sarawak connection’ and has applied for Malaysian citizenship.
“The card should also only be valid as long as the citizenship application is pending,” she said in a statement issued today.
She added that adult life starts at 18 years old for most people when they have to decide to either seek higher education or to look for a job.
“They must start learning living skills to be equipped for the working world, including learning how to drive, apply for travel documents, open a bank account, and contribute to society.
“To most of us, these things would be taken for granted, but for those without a Malaysian identification card, every door would be closed to them to acquire or achieve any of the above,” she said.
Chang noted most of these people, if lucky, would go from one menial job to another on a hand-to-mouth existence with no possibility for them to benefit from any federal and State welfare aid.
“Without any doubt, this contributes substantially to family problems and social ills as many of these stateless individuals battle poverty, rejection from society, and social discrimination on their own,” she added.
“The State government indeed has the authority and ability to enable the stateless persons in Sarawak to achieve a certain level of normalcy.
“It, therefore, remains to be seen if they have the sincerity and political will to assist these people, most of whom were born and bred Sarawakians,” she said.
Previously, it was reported that the Office of the Premier of Sarawak would issue temporary documentation to eligible stateless children applying for citizenship to access education and health facilities in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
