Passed – Sarawak bill recognising mixed-marriage children as natives

 

The Interpretation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, received support from lawmakers from both sides of the political divide. (Bernama pic)

KUCHING: The Sarawak state assembly has unanimously passed the Interpretation (Amendment) Bill 2022, which, among others, would consider a child from a mixed marriage a native even if only one of the parents is a native.

The bill also updates the list of indigenous races in the state.

Tabled by assistant minister in the chief minister’s department Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, the bill received support from lawmakers from both sides of the political divide.

“With this amendment, a child will be considered a native as long as either parent is a native. There is no longer a requirement that both parents must be a native of Sarawak,” she said.

However, she said this was subject to the conditions and requirements to be imposed by the state executive council.

The amendment would add 12 additional races in the Schedule of the Interpretation Ordinance and give effect to a recent amendment in Article 161A of the Federal Constitution on the indigenous races of Sarawak.

The 12 additional races are Bagatan, Bakong, Bemali, Berawan, Dali, Lakiput, Jatti Miriek, Narom, Sa’ban, Tatau, Tring and Vaie.

Debating the bill earlier, Baru Bian (PSB-Ba’Kelalan) said children of mixed marriages had faced problems in recent times with the land and survey department over native land inheritance.

He also said that not recognising the children as natives would have serious implications on the demographics of Sarawak and affect the people’s sense of identity, culture and heritage.

He also welcomed the additions to the list of indigenous races, describing it as timely for native communities which had been excluded earlier.

Gerawat Gala (GPS-Mulu) said the amendment could address the grievances and provide an avenue for children of mixed marriages.

“Many children of mixed marriages take pride and greatly value their native inheritance, customs, traditions and ancestry, and they are accepted as natives by their community,” he added.

The state assembly sitting continues tomorrow. - FMT