By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, July 28: Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni expressed his disappointment over the discontinuation of the Sarawak Special Committee on Citizenship.
The committee was formed in 2016 by the previous federal government and meant to facilitate the approval of citizenship applications under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution.
“Disappointed, and we hope the Home Ministry will review their decision,” said Lukanisman.
Lukanisman was responding to a question posed to him concerning the Home Ministry’s decision to discontinue the Sarawak Special Committee on Citizenship.
He was met this afternoon (July 28) after the closing of Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang’s ‘Pesta Tanjong 2019’ event.
He noted thta since the establishment of the committee in 2016, it has helped many people from the state receive their citizenship.
“Children with no proper documentation were able to pursue their studies and live a normal life, this proving that the Sarawak Special Committee on Citizenship plays a crucial role in helping these people in getting their rights as citizens,” he said.
He added that if the current method is discontinued, the federal Pakatan Harapan government should establish a new mechanism.
He also stressed that the Home Ministry should provides reasons for the discontinuation.
“Adopt government-to-government approaches to better improve the relationship between the federal and the state governments so that we can tackle critical issues concerning the Rakyat’s wellbeing,” he urged.
He opined that the manner of the discontinuation of the committee by the federal government suggests as if there were no discussions between the federal and state governments.
“They (federal government) should approach the state government and do frequently ‘talks’ with us. We (Sarawak government) are open for discussion as long as it involves the wellbeing of the people,” he said. — DayakDaily
