Kedah Princess Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz strongly condemned statelessness in Malaysia, calling it a humanitarian issue that shouldn’t exist in modern society.
The Tunku Temenggong Kedah, who is also the Malaysian Red Crescent Society chairperson, emphasised the serious implications of statelessness, particularly the loss of potential among affected children.
“I think this shouldn’t exist in our current society.
“If we look at the children and the potential we are losing, it is a serious issue. This is a humanitarian issue,” said the daughter of Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
Puteri Intan (in left corner above, wearing red) voiced her concern alongside Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as she accompanied 10-year-old Muhammad Danish Haiqal Abdul Rahman, who received citizenship approval from the ministry after appearing in a recent documentary with the princess.
She stressed the importance of public awareness and the role of organisations like the Red Crescent in addressing this issue.
Haiqal’s case highlights the complexities surrounding statelessness in Malaysia.
His adoptive mother, Hazlina Hamzah, revealed that Haiqal’s biological mother, who was also stateless, entrusted her with the boy’s care when he was just three months old.
Haiqal has eight stateless siblings, whom Saifuddin has pledged to assist.
“It’s coincidental that I’m here and that the minister approved the application. The timing is very good,” the princess said.
The citizenship application process for Haiqal took about five to six years, with significant support from NGOs, particularly Development of Human Resources for Rural Areas (DHRRA).
Thousands more need help
The organisation estimates there are 16,000 stateless persons in Peninsular Malaysia, though the home minister claims the number has decreased to 9,000.
Saifuddin expressed readiness to address citizenship issues, citing recent meetings with the Malaysian Citizenship Rights Alliance (MCRA) and Suhakam.
He emphasised the need for standard operating procedures in citizenship applications.
Saifuddin earlier said he would be meeting with the Conference of Rulers today over the citizenship law amendments bill and he would be accompanied by the Suhakam chairperson.
He also confirmed that the second and third readings of the amendment bill would be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming session in October this year, when the 2025 budget is expected to be tabled. - Mkini
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