(Kuching, 31st) Sarawak and the federal government have undertaken multiple joint initiatives to continuously strengthen cooperation to address the issues of identity documentation and nationality of children in Sarawak.
The Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development of Sarawak, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, emphasized that this strategic cooperation is crucial in safeguarding the rights and welfare of children affected by the lack of nationality.
She pointed out: “The Sarawak government has always been committed and willing to work hand-in-hand with the federal government, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Registration Department, to systematically and humanely solve this complex issue.”
Chen made these remarks during her visit to the Sarawak branch of the National Registration Department, where she delivered a speech.
She mentioned that one of the significant outcomes of this cooperation is the establishment of the Sarawak Special Committee on Nationality (JKKSK), which is responsible for pre-screening citizenship applications under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution before they are submitted to the central government.
Since its inception, the committee has handled dozens of application cases, covering categories such as illegitimate children, adopted children, and children under care.
Moreover, the “Special Task Force Plan” (PPK) which is a collaboration between the Prime Minister's Department of Sarawak and the Sarawak branch of the National Registration Department, has proven both parties’ commitment to expedite the processing of identity documentation applications.
From 2023 to date, this plan has received over 13,000 applications, with nearly half approved.
At the same time, the Sarawak government has also introduced an additional policy allowing children granted citizenship under Article 15A to have the letter “K” added to their identity card to ensure their identity is consistent with their parents' status as permanent residents of Sarawak.
Chen emphasized that this cross-level collaboration mechanism not only speeds up the application process but also effectively reduces cases of children being marginalized due to a lack of legal documents.
“This is a shared responsibility between the Sarawak and federal governments, aimed at ensuring every child can obtain identity recognition and enjoy basic rights to education and healthcare.”
This official visit also involved several strategic agencies in Sarawak, including the State Attorney General’s Chambers, the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit, and representatives from the Chief Minister’s Department’s administrative unit, among others.
The Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development of Sarawak, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, emphasized that this strategic cooperation is crucial in safeguarding the rights and welfare of children affected by the lack of nationality.
She pointed out: “The Sarawak government has always been committed and willing to work hand-in-hand with the federal government, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Registration Department, to systematically and humanely solve this complex issue.”
Chen made these remarks during her visit to the Sarawak branch of the National Registration Department, where she delivered a speech.
She mentioned that one of the significant outcomes of this cooperation is the establishment of the Sarawak Special Committee on Nationality (JKKSK), which is responsible for pre-screening citizenship applications under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution before they are submitted to the central government.
Since its inception, the committee has handled dozens of application cases, covering categories such as illegitimate children, adopted children, and children under care.
Moreover, the “Special Task Force Plan” (PPK) which is a collaboration between the Prime Minister's Department of Sarawak and the Sarawak branch of the National Registration Department, has proven both parties’ commitment to expedite the processing of identity documentation applications.
From 2023 to date, this plan has received over 13,000 applications, with nearly half approved.
At the same time, the Sarawak government has also introduced an additional policy allowing children granted citizenship under Article 15A to have the letter “K” added to their identity card to ensure their identity is consistent with their parents' status as permanent residents of Sarawak.
Chen emphasized that this cross-level collaboration mechanism not only speeds up the application process but also effectively reduces cases of children being marginalized due to a lack of legal documents.
“This is a shared responsibility between the Sarawak and federal governments, aimed at ensuring every child can obtain identity recognition and enjoy basic rights to education and healthcare.”
This official visit also involved several strategic agencies in Sarawak, including the State Attorney General’s Chambers, the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit, and representatives from the Chief Minister’s Department’s administrative unit, among others.