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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 20: The Sarawak government would review and consider waiving the RM100 fee for native status recognition applications.
Highlighting this, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali emphasised that the government is committed to addressing all issues and concerns raised, especially by children of mixed parentage, who are seeking native status.
This response comes in light of numerous inquiries from various affected parties regarding potential inconveniences and obstacles that may arise when Sarawakians of mixed parentage initiate the process of applying for native status recognition at District Offices statewide, starting on Nov 1 this year.
On the suggestion that native status should be granted automatically without placing a burden on applicants, Sharifah Hasidah explained that application process is necessary to ensure authenticity and to prevent abuse and exploitation.
“There is no suggestion that granting of native status is automatic where only one parent is a native.
“The application is required to make sure that one of the parents is genuinely a native, which can be proven through documentation such as a birth certificate. This measure is to protect the interests of our native and Bumiputera community and prevent any abuse of native status,” she told DayakDaily when contacted today.
Sharifah Hasidah also dismissed claims regarding the need to satisfy conditions and requirements imposed by Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri for recognition of a person as a native of Sarawak, such as the requirement to prove fluency in a native language.
She asserted that unnecessary assessments are not intended, as the qualifying criteria can be confirmed through documentation, particularly birth certificates.
Under the provisions of the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, Sharifah Hasidah outlined the three qualifying criteria for being recognised as a native of Sarawak:
- He/she must be a Malaysian citizen
- A natural born child of a person of a race indigenous to Sarawak
- One of his/her parents is a person of a race indigenous to Sarawak
With these criteria, it meant that stateless individuals will not be eligible to apply at this junction, given that they are unable to prove their citizenship status.
Addressing concerns about administrative requirements potentially causing delays, Sharifah Hasidah gave assurance that the process would be expedited with the Special Committee, led by the State Secretary, to verify applications swiftly.
The application process is straightforward: applicants need to obtain forms from the District Office, complete them, and submit them along with necessary documents, particularly birth certificates.
“Then, the Special Committee will vet and consider. Once application is approved, a Certificate of Native Status will be issued to the applicant. That’s all,” she added. — DayakDaily
