Helping out those in need for citizenship papers

suppadmin | October 22, 2016

A special task force from the National Registration Department (JPN) is set up in Sibu Jaya community hall to from Friday to Sunday to help indigenous people to process their personal documents.

A political secretary to the Chief Minister, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Michael Tiang, told the media yesterday that the main purpose is to process their citizenship.

He said these people are mostly from Ulu areas and they were born without proof of birth or clinical records, thus they need to rely on the community leaders to support and show their roots in Sarawak.

Tiang said it is understandable that the national registration requirement procedures are strict to prevent illegal immigrates from filtering into the Sarawak.

He said there are cases of Sarawak citizens marrying foreigners and one spouse passed away or abandoned the child, causing the child to be stateless.

The Sarawak government, he added, should be given self-determination power in registering Sarawak citizens, especially those from rural inland. “This is because Sarawak government understands better the local culture, backgrounds and challenges.

Tiang would also like to thank JPN Special Task Force crews for their unceasing efforts in assisting and advising the locals pertaining to their application for citizenship,” he added.