The Kuching National Registration Department has issued elderly cancer patient Lina Samuel with temporary identification documents amid a fresh probe into claims that an officer had wrongfully seized her MyKad.
Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) member Agnes Padan said this followed another round of NRD interviews. The department spoke with Agnes, Lina, Lina’s village chief in Lawas, a village elder, and Lina’s daughter.
“After today’s session, we received the temporary documents.
“Yes, she (Lina) can travel to Miri now,” Agnes told Malaysiakini today.
The Lawas resident suffers from colon cancer and fears that - without a MyKad - she will not be allowed to travel to Miri and continue treatment at a public hospital.
Lina, 65, had alleged that her identity card was seized by an NRD officer in November 2022 when she visited the department to change her address in the lead-up to the 15th general election.
However, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail previously said Lina’s MyKad was impounded by the NRD on Oct 8, 2019, because it found that she is not a citizen because her children’s birth certificates showed that her nationality is Indonesian.
‘Lina technically not Indonesian’
Responding to Saifuddin, the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono, said he issued instructions for the consul general in Kuching to find Lina and verify claims by Sarawak NRD that she could be an Indonesian citizen.
“Based on Indonesia’s citizenship law, Lina technically cannot be said to be an Indonesian because she never had documents that showed she’s an Indonesian.
“We also do not know her background, particularly her parents. However, Indonesia’s citizenship law also does not allow a person to be stateless,” Hermono told Malaysiakini.
“Going case by case, the embassy can issue personal identification documents by requests on humanitarian principles.
“Regarding Lina’s case, if it has been determined that she is not a Malaysian citizen and she claims to be an Indonesian, then Indonesia can grant her citizenship to prevent her from becoming stateless,” he said.
Given her health condition, Hermono said, priority will also be given to offering Lina medical help while her citizenship status is being resolved.
“In principle, we are involved in this case simply based on news reports that Lina could be an Indonesian and currently suffers from a serious medical condition,” he added.
Agnes later confirmed she has been contacted by Hermono and that officers from the consulate general will be travelling to Lawas to meet Lina. - Mkini
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