By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Sept 5: Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah hopes Home Affairs Ministry can resolves citizen applications for stateless children within two years.
Fatimah said currently, those applicants are issued with the temporary identification documents (DSTIKS) by the Sarawak government which is only valid for two years from the approval date which enables them to receive access to education and healthcare.
“We are hoping that within that two years, the decision on their citizenship application will be finalised by Home Affairs Ministry.
“However, if their status is yet to be determined, they can apply for extension,” she told a press conference held at Baitulmakmur Building 2 here today.
Meanwhile, Fatimah said the Sarawak-level special committee on citizenship has received a total of 10 citizenship applications from stateless children.
Fatimah however, said that she could not reveal the decision on the applications yet.
She added that the applications are from National Registration Department (JPN) Kuching (3 applications), JPN Song (3), and one each from JPN Tatau and Julau involving illegitimate child, while two other applications from JPN Kuching and JPN UTC Sibu respectively involve children under care. — DayakDaily
