PUTRAJAYA: The issues faced by stateless people in Sabah must be addressed to resolve the ongoing difficulties in the issuance of proper documentation for the group, says the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO). Its Sabah chief of operations Capt (R) Jerry Bin Jaimeh said the issue of stateless people began when Malaysia had welcomed refugees in the 1970s from southern Philippines and Kalimantan.
As a result, he said the Malaysian government had negotiated with the United Nations, and allowed some 144,000 refugees to come over.
“The documents issued since then to the people have changed over the years from Burung-Burung certificate, special passport and many more apart from the initial IMM13 card.
“Now we have new generations, mostly consisting of their grandchildren, who have been unable to inherit these documents, and the matter is further complicated by Sabahans marrying these stateless people.
“This caused complications because the current law requires a marriage certificate to obtain citizenship for the children,” he told the press yesterday.
Capt Jerry added the issues have become bigger involving increased populations, and urged the government to resolve them so that stateless people will be able to live a more humane life, especially the children.
Most children of stateless people have been unable to obtain education, healthcare and secure their future, all while living in a vicious uncertain cycle, he said.
MHO secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said many stateless people from Sabah are left in limbo without proper documents and stuck in dire situations without any end to their problems.
“There are many from Sabah who somehow have ended up in the Peninsular Malaysia, but when they want to submit any applications, they are told to go back to the state.
“The conundrum here is that without a valid document, they cannot go back. As such, we are urging that their documentation process is done here in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
Earlier Hishamuddin submitted a memorandum to a representative of the Home Ministry, Mohamad Khusaini Abdul Manan, detailing some of their concerns about the proposed constitutional amendment Bill.
The amendments to the Bill have drawn criticism from non-governmental organisations and activists, who have labelled it to be “regressive”, especially for the stateless people.
They said that it will create a new pool of stateless children, depriving them of basic human rights and costing the taxpayers millions, according to children’s rights activists.
They also urged the government to do the right thing by upholding the spirit of the Federal Constitution to prevent statelessness.
