KUALA LUMPUR: Proper measures must be implemented to ensure children with at least one Malaysian parent have access to education, a Member of Parliament stated.
Tawau MP Lo Su Fui highlighted ongoing cases where these children are denied education while applying for citizenship.
This occurs despite the Zero Reject Policy by the Education Ministry, he claims.
In March last year, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that all stateless and undocumented children can attend any government or government-aided schools, provided one parent is Malaysian, as reported by Borneo Post.
However, the parent must provide a letter proving the child is born of a Malaysian parent.
A fee of RM120 a year is imposed for primary school and RM240 for secondary school.
"I urge the Home Affairs Ministry to collaborate with the Education Ministry to ensure these children can be admitted to school without discrimination," said Lo while debating Budget 2025 in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 19).
"I am not advocating for illegal immigrants but for the indigenous children of Sabah who are subject to Federal Constitution Article 15 (2)," he added.
Indigenous children in Sabah, born from an unregistered marriage between a Malaysian parent and an undocumented parent, face challenges in obtaining citizenship, he explained.
"They are allowed to live in Malaysia but are not allowed to work and study," he said.
He proposed that a study and employment pass be provided for those with a Malaysian parent while they await the results of their citizenship application.
