Back Sarawak's move to give stateless children education, healthcare - group

 

The Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) has lauded the state government's decision to grant temporary documentation to some stateless children in the state that will allow them to seek education and healthcare in the state.

Its president Angie Garet said it’s a life-saving measure, as it will ease these children’s access to health care and education while their application for citizenship is being processed.

“Without education and healthcare, we are failing children; blighting their development and creating future problems for them and the country,” said Angie.

Yesterday, Sarawak's Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah said the Office of the Premier of Sarawak will issue temporary documentation to eligible stateless children applying for citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution.

Article 15A states "the federal government may, in such special circumstances as it thinks fit, cause any person under the age 21 to be registered as a citizen”.

Fatimah said the measure is to facilitate their access to education and health facilities but stressed that it is not a promise of citizenship, which falls under the federal government's jurisdiction.

Angie said she hoped that the federal government will support the measures.

"As a signatory to the Convention of the Rights of Children and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Malaysia has a duty to ensure no child is left behind and that every child has a secure identity.

"The decision of the state government to recognise these children to enable them to grow and develop is a crucial step towards meeting these obligations.

"To fully achieve them, however, there needs to be a similar commitment at the federal level. Both need to work together.

"SWWS calls upon the relevant federal ministries to recognise Sarawak’s temporary documentation so that the aim of children entering school and receiving health care, while their applications are being processed, moves ahead without delay,” said Angie.

She added that many indigenous Sarawakians have a legitimate claim to citizenship but did not have the necessary documentation from their ancestors due to a lack of access.

Be more efficient, transparent

Angie also called on the Home Ministry to be more efficient and transparent in processing the citizenship applications, describing them as "notoriously slow".

She said this will leave families in limbo.

Angie also noted that no reason is given for the rejection of citizenship and the cost to appeal is prohibitively costly for poor families in rural Sarawak.

"When we are talking about children, every month without schooling has an impact: every obstacle to health care could cause death.

"Sarawak is trying to rectify this situation but needs all parties to play their part. SWWS looks forward to the speedy implementation of this progressive policy by all relevant ministries," she said. - Mkini