(Sibu, 10th) Sarawak Democratic Action Party Political Education Director, Lawyer Irene Mary Chang Oi Ling, strongly urges all children who were once stateless, born in Sarawak, legally adopted by Sarawakian parents, and registered as Malaysian citizens, to immediately check their Malaysian identification cards to confirm whether the 'K' marking has been added.
She pointed out that if the identification card does not have the 'K' marking, one should promptly apply for its addition at the nearest National Registration Department branch. According to Minister Dato Seri Fatimah's earlier statements, the approval authority for the 'K' marking on such children's identification cards indeed belongs to the National Registration Department.
Chang Oi Ling issued a statement today, announcing a piece of good news that a child who was once stateless and awarded citizenship in 2024 finally succeeded in adding the 'K' marking to their identification card.
“We first raised the importance of the 'K' marking on identification cards in August 2021, when we discovered that some children who obtained citizenship with our assistance did not have the 'K' marking on their identification cards. In fact, only those with the 'K' mark can be granted legal residence and work rights in Sarawak.”
She noted that children not granted 'K' status would not be considered Sarawak citizens and would not be entitled to related benefits provided by the Sarawak government to locals. After nearly five years of continuous advocacy and communication with relevant departments, children who obtained citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution can finally apply for 'Anak Sarawak' (Child of Sarawak) status.
Chang Oi Ling emphasized that many Sarawak youths who were once stateless, after obtaining citizenship, could not secure the 'K' marking and had to work outside Sarawak, leading to local areas losing many talented and capable personnel.
“The 'K' marking on the identification card is an important symbol of Sarawakian identity and a key basis for confirming Sarawakian rights under the constitution.”
She hopes that all individuals born in Sarawak, legally adopted by Sarawakian parents, and granted Malaysian citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, can smoothly apply for the 'K' marking on identification cards in the future, allowing them to live and work in Sarawak, and contribute to making Sarawak a vibrant economy.
She pointed out that if the identification card does not have the 'K' marking, one should promptly apply for its addition at the nearest National Registration Department branch. According to Minister Dato Seri Fatimah's earlier statements, the approval authority for the 'K' marking on such children's identification cards indeed belongs to the National Registration Department.
Chang Oi Ling issued a statement today, announcing a piece of good news that a child who was once stateless and awarded citizenship in 2024 finally succeeded in adding the 'K' marking to their identification card.
“We first raised the importance of the 'K' marking on identification cards in August 2021, when we discovered that some children who obtained citizenship with our assistance did not have the 'K' marking on their identification cards. In fact, only those with the 'K' mark can be granted legal residence and work rights in Sarawak.”
She noted that children not granted 'K' status would not be considered Sarawak citizens and would not be entitled to related benefits provided by the Sarawak government to locals. After nearly five years of continuous advocacy and communication with relevant departments, children who obtained citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution can finally apply for 'Anak Sarawak' (Child of Sarawak) status.
Chang Oi Ling emphasized that many Sarawak youths who were once stateless, after obtaining citizenship, could not secure the 'K' marking and had to work outside Sarawak, leading to local areas losing many talented and capable personnel.
“The 'K' marking on the identification card is an important symbol of Sarawakian identity and a key basis for confirming Sarawakian rights under the constitution.”
She hopes that all individuals born in Sarawak, legally adopted by Sarawakian parents, and granted Malaysian citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, can smoothly apply for the 'K' marking on identification cards in the future, allowing them to live and work in Sarawak, and contribute to making Sarawak a vibrant economy.