What Merdeka means to one stateless person

 

Nalvin Dhillon, who is stateless in Malaysia because his mother is Filipina.

PETALING JAYA: When he was a schoolboy, Nalvin Dhillon and his classmates would celebrate Merdeka Day by singing patriotic songs and decorating their classrooms with flags and posters they made of the country’s leaders.

“It definitely created a sense of patriotism among us,” he told FMT.

Nalvin and his father, a former Malaysian Air Force officer, would also fly Malaysian flags outside their house to celebrate the occasion.

But the son of a Punjabi Malaysian and a Filipino woman had a rude awakening when he turned 12 and applied for an identity card. The national registration department (JPN) told him he was not eligible for Malaysian citizenship because his mother, who returned to the Philippines shortly after his birth, was not a Malaysian.

He is now 24 years old and his case is still with the courts.

“I still celebrate Merdeka since I was born and raised in this country,” he said. “However, a true Merdeka celebration for me will only be when I finally receive my IC and freedom as a Malaysian citizen.”

He spoke of the many limitations of being stateless in Malaysia.

“I can’t register to vote and I don’t have a personal bank account. Whenever I travel, I need to depend on people to pick me up as I can’t get a driver’s licence.

“There are problems even in getting healthcare. I have to pay five to 10 times more than an ordinary citizen just to get treatment for an illness.

“No one should go through this.”

He added that applying for jobs was also hard as many employers would hire only Malaysians.

Nalvin said it did not make sense that he and other stateless persons were paying for the consequences of something out of their control.

He urged the government to resolve the problems faced by the stateless.

“Give us a chance to contribute to the nation,” he said. “How can we prove that we are capable of doing this if the country rejects us?”

Nevertheless, he urged Malaysians to appreciate the warriors who fought for the country’s independence and to remember how lucky they were to be Malaysian.

He said Malaysians should be wise in using the opportunities available to them and contribute to the country’s progress and growth.

“And to all stateless individuals,” he said, “I want to let them know that they are not alone. Never give up, step out of your comfort zone, be fearless and fight for your rights. Nothing is impossible.

“If you want to get a good education, find a way to do it because it’s possible. Never make yourself feel like you’re a mistake because there’s a reason for your birth.

“Don’t let obstacles stop you.” - FMT