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KUCHING, Sept 20: The Sarawak Eurasian Association has applauded the significant impact of the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 which will now allow the mixed-race children of natives of Sarawak both to apply for native status and also to assert their rightful claim to their family’s ancestral lands.
With that, its president Karen Shepherd urges all relevant government agencies, especially the Land and Survey Department and the National Registration Department (NRD), to swiftly implement this change.
“This will put an end to uncertainty for thousands of mixed-race children and their native parents, facing issues with Bumiputera status and with inheriting their family land.
“This does not just apply to Eurasians, of course, but also to all those Sarawakians with mixed Malaysian Chinese or Indian heritage, who had previously been barred by Land and Survey from inheriting,” she said in a statement today.
She was responding to Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali who announced that Sarawakians of mixed parentage may begin applying for recognition as natives from Nov 1, 2023.
Karen however hopes that the need to ‘apply’ is merely an administrative requirement, and that the various government agencies will proceed to process these applications at speed.
Furthermore, Karen underscored that inter-marriage between the races has been common in Sarawak for hundreds of years with their children welcomed into their native communities without question and many of them living entirely as natives, practising the customs and speaking the language.
“Eurasians themselves have formed an important part of the Sarawak community since the first arrival of the Brookes, living in much the same way. In fact, many Eurasians have gone on to become among the greatest guardians of the culture. We are thankful that the Sarawak government has taken steps to recognise this,” she said.
In the modern world, Karen noted that mixed-race marriages are becoming even more common with Sarawakians increasingly studying, living and working overseas and then choosing their spouse there.
With many of these mixed families choosing to raise their children here in Sarawak, Karen pointed out that these children should not be denied their birth rights.
“Sarawak has always been an open-minded place, welcoming people with a genuine connection and love of this land. This amendment is an important step in recognising this culture and practice already in place,” she said.
Karen added that prompt action on this matter has averted a growing issue going forward and expresses anticipation in welcoming numerous new natives as members of the Sarawak Eurasian Association. — DayakDaily
