THE Sarawak government will issue temporary documents for state-born individuals without citizenship aged below 21.

State Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah said the document is important, especially for children, to have access to education and health services.

“The right to having an education is a basic right for every child. This is also another effort by the state government to identify the number of stateless individuals,” she told a press conference after the state assembly meeting in Kuching today.

Fatimah said December 2 onwards, the state ministry, with the cooperation of the National Registration Department, district offices and Customs Department will be at selected locations to conduct registrations.

“In Kuching, we know in the Desa Wira area, there are children who do not have documents and their citizenship status is not yet known. There is a critical must…” she said, adding that the team will then head to other locations such as Sibu, Sepupok, Miri and Lawas.

“Through the issuance of the temporary documents for Sarawak-born stateless individuals, we will be able to know the number of people who are applying and those waiting for approval,” she said.

Fatimah said the state ministry had received 60 applications since November 1, adding that applications can be made directly through the ministry or at district offices.

Applicants must have a birth certificate registered in Sarawak and undetermined citizenship status as well as have applied for Malaysian citizenship under article 15A of the Federal Constitution, she said. – Bernama, November 29, 2022.