PARLIAMENT | A Sarawak MP debating the Suhakam report today has backed calls for the state to be granted autonomy in resolving the statelessness issue, especially among children.
Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu) said the issue, which was also recorded in Suhakam's 2020 annual report, had transcended generations of rural Sarawakians - including due to inter-marriages with the Dayaks in Kalimantan, Indonesia, across the border.
He noted that many marriages remain to be formalised only by long house chiefs with long house residents as witnesses, without official registration with the National Registration Department, resulting in children who are "stateless" despite being born in Sarawak.
"So I agree with the Sarawak state minister’s call for the state to be granted autonomy to resolve the issue of statelessness, particularly among children.
"Right now, the awarding of citizenship still requires approval from the federal government.
"This is an important issue so that the (citizenship) status of children in rural areas can be expedited," Roy (above) said, citing the denial of access to basic rights to education and health for stateless children.
In March, Sarawak Women Development, Children and Community Welfare Minister Fatimah Abdullah reportedly proposed for the state to be granted such autonomy.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in his winding-up speech said the government through engagements with stakeholders are in the final stages of preparing a proposal to amend the relevant provisions under the Federal Constitution, to address the issues raised.
He said up to eight proposals will be presented to the Rulers Council next month and targeted for tabling in the Dewan Rakyat in the last session of this year. - Mkini
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