Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (in grey suit) and state Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah (left) with the recipients of temporary documents from the state government. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Sarawak has issued temporary documents to a first batch of 73 stateless children in the state, allowing them to go to school and government clinics.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government was concerned about stateless children who were unable to go to school or get treatment at government health clinics as they lacked personal documents.
He said this was a problem faced by stateless children while they waited for their citizenship applications to be approved by the Federal Government, a process which could take a long time.
"We felt that we had to find a solution, so we decided to give them temporary documents pending the approval of their citizenship applications.
"What's important is that the children can go to school. This is their right," he said when presenting the documents to the recipients here on Thursday (March 16).
State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the temporary document initiative was approved by the state government in July last year and applications opened in November.
She said 394 applications were received as of March 10, of which 86 were approved by the Sarawak Premier's Department.
"However, 13 of them have since received their citizenship certificates, so we are now handing over the temporary documents to 73 eligible applicants," she said.
Applicants must have a birth certificate issued in Sarawak, have applied for citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution and aged below 21 years.
Fatimah also said the document, which is valid for two years, is meant to give the holders access to public education and health services in Sarawak.
"It is not a citizenship document or a guarantee of citizenship approval," she said.
