By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 8: After a gruelling wait since 1979, 49-year-old Tan Tang Lung has finally obtained Malaysian citizenship, a proud achievement he hopes will inspire others still struggling with statelessness.
Tan, born in Indonesia to a Sarawakian father and Indonesian mother, shared his overwhelming joy at finally being recognised as a Malaysian.
His path to citizenship took him through decades of uncertainty, from being stateless to eventually holding permanent resident (PR) status with a red identity card, before being granted full citizenship this year.
Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, who has been actively assisting Tan in the later part of his application process, said this indeed a piece of happy news worth sharing.
“Tan went through every stage of the process. He first applied for citizenship in 2012 alongside his elder brother, who received approval in 2013. Tan, however, was not as fortunate and only succeeded on his third attempt this year,” she told a press conference today.
Tan’s family moved to Sarawak in the 1970s, but due to incomplete documentation, they arrived as stateless individuals.
Since 1979, Tan spent years trying to obtain an entry permit, the first of three crucial steps towards gaining citizenship. After residing in Sarawak for several years, he was finally eligible to apply for a red IC as a PR holder, which he held for over a decade before finally becoming eligible to apply for citizenship and blue IC.
Tan applied under Article 19(1) of the Federal Constitution, which covers individuals above the age of 21 seeking naturalisation.
Among his five siblings, his elder sister received her citizenship in 2010, followed by his second sister in 2011.
In January this year, after persistent efforts and coordination between Yong, Padungan assemblyman and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, Tan finally received the long-awaited decision letter in March, allowing him to apply for his Malaysian citizenship certificate.
Now working as an IT professional, Tan is married to a Sarawakian and has two children. With his new blue IC and Malaysian passport, he no longer carried the burden of being stateless.
“I’m grateful beyond words. I’ve been to the National Registration Department (JPN) more times than I can count. After two failed attempts, I didn’t expect it at all this time. But Yong and the DAP team never gave up on me, they sincerely helped people like us,” he said.
Tan hopes his story will serve as a symbol of hope for others still facing statelessness. “There are still many out there who remain in limbo. I hope this will encourage them to keep applying and not give up.”
“Today, we share in Tan’s joy. He is no longer stateless. He is now a proud Malaysian,” Yong said, while welcoming those in similar situations to reach out to the DAP Sarawak team. — DayakDaily
