KUCHING: Well-known Alena Murang and Larissa Ping visited the Kuching District Office to submit their applications for native status registration on Monday (Nov 6).
Alena’s father, Datuk Ose Murang was also present to accompanied her as she submitted her registration form at the office.
Since the enforcement of the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 on November 1, Alena has been vocal about her intention to obtain official recognition of her native status, made possible by this legislative change.
This amendment, which allows children of mixed parentage to own native land and gain recognition as Bumiputera/Pribumi, is a historic milestone in empowering individuals like Alena and Larissa.
The writer was also present at the Kuching District Office, joining Alena and Larissa as they submitted their applications for native status registration.
Alena, 32, was born in Kuching to her father, Ose, a member of the Kelabit tribe, and her mother, Datin Valerie Mashman, who comes from an English-Italian background.
She is one of the many children of mixed parentage who have not been legally recognised as natives in Sarawak until this legislative change.
Expressing her emotions, Alena said: “I’m feeling excited and relieved. I’ll be excited once I receive the certificate.”
She highlighted the long-fought battle led by her father and other elders, spanning over three decades, to secure this recognition.
“This is quite surreal because my father and other elders have been fighting for this since I was born, for over 30 years.
“And it is so surreal to see it’s finally happening. I’m very thankful and relieved,” said Alena.
“This is most important when it comes to matters of land. Finally, it enables us to inherit our ancestral land, our native land.”
Larissa, 24, born to a Malaysian Chinese father and a Kenyah mother, echoed the same sentiment of relief.
She said their situation is not unique, as many others are also applying for native status recognition.
Larissa acknowledged that numerous individuals are grappling with the challenge of inheriting their ancestral land.
She emphasised their mission of raising awareness, noting that a significant number of people remain uncertain about their eligibility for native status recognition.
“In any case,” Larissa advised, “if individuals believe that both of their parents are native, it is advisable to seek clarification by contacting the district office when in doubt.”
In the midst of this transformative journey towards native status recognition, Alena emphasised the profound significance of this change, not only for herself and Larissa but for the broader community.
These two accomplished individuals have risen to prominence in their respective fields, making waves both within and beyond Malaysia.
Alena, an award-winning Sarawakian songwriter and ‘sape’ player, has consistently showcased the rich and diverse musical traditions of the Kelabit tribe.
As she performs on international stages, she proudly represents the native tribes of Sarawak, sharing their unique musical heritage with the world.
Yet she pointed out that, despite this global recognition, the official documents did not acknowledge her as a native of Sarawak.
Reflecting on this situation, Alena expressed a sense of disappointment, stating: “And that is sad. Performing worldwide, everyone knows that I’m a native Kelabit.”
“But officially, I was not registered as a native. Now that we are here, to register, not to apply, for the native status, I’m excited,” Alena remarked.
In a parallel journey, Larissa, who also proudly presents her indigenous heritage on the global stage, shares Alena’s sentiment.
Larissa is a renowned Malaysian model, fashion blogger, and beauty pageant titleholder who proudly held the title of Miss World Malaysia 2018.
She had the honour of representing Malaysia at the prestigious Miss World 2018 pageant, where her remarkable presence earned her a spot in the esteemed Top 30.
Now, as they stand on the cusp of registering for native status, she remarked that their excitement is palpable.
While awaiting their turn to submit their registration forms, Alena candidly shared her personal journey, shedding light on her perception of her native status.
Growing up, Alena assumed that she was considered a Bumiputera, given her father’s native heritage.
However, as an adult, she made a startling discovery: in Sarawak, children of mixed parentage like herself were not legally recognised as natives.
“It was only when I was an adult did I come to understand that in Sarawak, mixed children like myself are not legally native,” Alena explained.
She found it perplexing that, despite having access to Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB), she was not granted the same access to native land.
Alena highlighted that individuals like herself would need to fill out a form to apply to be “deemed native” and submit it to the Native Courts of Sarawak.
“Why do we need to ‘apply’ to be native?” Alena questioned. “I’m a native woman. It’s my birthright.”
Both Alena and Larissa’s experiences emphasise the significance of the recent legislative changes, which have created an opportunity for individuals of mixed parentage to secure their rightful recognition as natives of Sarawak.
This newfound recognition not only validates their cultural identities but also holds the key to preserving and passing down their ancestral traditions and land rights.
Meanwhile, the Resident of the Kuching Division Norleha Shariff, revealed that as of Nov 5, their office had received a total of 36 applications for native status recognition.
Among these applications, five were submitted from Bau and one from Padawan, underscoring the widespread interest in this historic initiative.
Norleha elaborated that the processing of these applications is expected to take up to five days, signifying the meticulous attention to detail and adherence to protocol in ensuring the accuracy of the recognition.
Additionally, she disclosed plans for a symbolic ceremonial presentation of native status recognition letters, which is set to take place in the near future.
However, she clarified that this matter is still in the discussion phase, and once the details are finalised, she will provide further information.
The recent implementation of the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 in Sarawak has brought significant relief to children of mixed parentage.
This legislative change grants them the right to own native land and gain native (Bumiputera/Pribumi) status recognition, a pivotal step towards accessing public universities and tertiary institutions.
This amendment effectively resolves the challenges faced by individuals whose ‘native’ status was previously questioned or not officially recognised by the government.
Before this amendment, the Federal Constitution Article 161A(6)(a), when read in conjunction with Article 161A(7), as well as Section 3 of the Interpretation Ordinance of Sarawak 2005, stipulated that only children born to marriages between natives of Sarawak could be considered natives of the state.
In essence, if even one parent was a non-native, their children would not be recognised as natives, regardless of the native status of the other parent.
Under the Sarawak Land Code, children from intermarriages involving a native and a non-native were also excluded from inheriting native title land or NCR land from their parents, a privilege reserved exclusively for those with both native parents.
The recent amendment serves as a crucial step in rectifying this long-standing disparity and granting equal recognition and rights to individuals with mixed parentage.
