Hundreds of indigenous bumiputera in Sarawak still stateless (extracts only)
SPECIAL REPORT | Sarawak prides itself as a state that has kept away undocumented migrants, but in its own backyard, many of its natives are stateless.
This is especially the case for the Penans, who for generations have faced obstacles in obtaining citizenship, in part due to excessive bureaucracy.
The issue is complicated by their nomadic culture and compounded by rural poverty, limited Bahasa Malaysia literacy, and inability to afford the luxury of travel to National Registration Department (NRD) offices in town.
The Penans are the last nomadic indigenous people residing mostly in Baram, Belaga, and Ulu Limbang, located more than 200km from Bintulu via rural roads.
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kt notes:
The reason why I have published only an extract of this Malaysiakini Special Report is that most of us know who the Penans are.
The more important matter is we need to ask: Why aren't they citizens when they, among other natives and aborogines, were the 'original' bumiputeras of Malaysia?
Why has a foreign fugitive been given permanent residency that was approved by a PM when the bumiputera Penans are even citizens?
It's a fucking lopsided injustice when two mamaks are in secured positions of power whilst natives are stateless.
By law in Malaysia a birth must be registered with the NRD within 60 days of the birth of the child.
ReplyDeleteLater registrations are still allowed , with conditions, I believe at least two adult witnesses.
That late registration procedure is messy, and best assisted by someone who know how to navigate the bureaucracy.
If the birth was never registered with the NRD, and there are no living parents and no living witnesses, tough luck, the child is undocumented and stateless.
Misleading picture. It was when Jibby was PM when Zakar Naik was granted PR, not Toonsie.
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Zakir Naik has Malaysian PR status, DPM confirms
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
NATION
Tuesday, 18 Apr 2017
PUTRAJAYA: Controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik has permanent resident (PR) status in Malaysia, given to him about five years ago.
Confirming this, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Malaysia, however, is not the only country in which the controversial Muslim preacher resides.
“Zakir Naik has a Malaysian PR but he is not a citizen, and he stays in other countries, I reckon,” he told the media on Tuesday.
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ReplyDeleteSarawak must clarify 'Melanau' status of Taib’s wife
Francis Paul Siah
Published 7 Feb 2018
COMMENT | I realise that I have been bragging about the good things and positive vibes of my homeland, Sarawak, in my articles in Malaysiakini and other publications.
However, when something is not right in Sarawak, it is also my duty to also highlight the negative.
I have actually waited a week or so since this issue first surfaced, hoping for the Sarawak state government to offer an explanation. But none was forthcoming. And like many Sarawakians, I am deeply disappointed.
What is this issue? Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud’s Syrian-born wife, Ragad Waleed Alkurdi, along with her two children from a previous relationship, have been accorded native bumiputera status in the state.
Their race is now “Melanau,” as stated in their new Malaysian identity cards, which were issued last November.
Something is not right here.
A post on social media that has gone viral contains an image purportedly of the state government gazette indicating that the applications of Ragad and her two children for identification with the Melanau community – under Section 20 of the Native Courts Ordinance 1992 and Rule 17 of the Native Courts Rules 1993 – have been approved.
The document, dated Nov 9, 2017, appeared to have been signed by state secretary Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
I concede I have yet to take a closer look at the constitutional framework of such a registration exercise in Sarawak, so I’m not sure whether such an act is legal or not.
However, laypeople would have questions on the issue and would want answers.
A friend asked on Facebook, “If I am an Iban and I marry a Russian woman, can she become an Iban? You tell me.” Another posted: “I am going to marry a Nigerian woman. I am Chinese and I will apply to the government to turn my wife into a ‘Chinese’. Will the state secretary approve?”
Jokes aside, Sarawak DAP chairperson Chong Chieng Jen had some serious questions on the matter.
Chong said that since Ragad is now a Melanau, “she has more rights than most of us as a native under the law.”
He said he managed to obtain a photocopy of the state government’s gazette from the Kuching High Court library, confirming that Ragad is now a Melanau...
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