SIBU: Chairman of Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) Rajang branch Bill Jugah welcomes those who have problems with getting their MyKads or birth certificates to seek help from the association.
Bill has long been tackling the issue of statelessness and this trait was brought to Sadia Rajang when he was elected as the chairman last year.
“We have written to the National Registration Department (JPN) Sibu with copies forwarded to the Home Ministry, Suhakam and police about our intention to bring approximately 20 already-compiled applicants from around Sibu area with various issues with their identification documents on March 19, but we have started receiving more statelessness reports from individuals from all over Sarawak after the association’s Facebook posting.
“We cannot downplay the severity of this problem if our nation were to respect international conventions on human rights like a true developed nation should be,” he said.
Explaining that it is everyone’s right to have a nationality as enshrined in Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 6 of the United Nations Declaration On The Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) regardless of race and religion, Bill said that the National Registration Department (JPN) solely cannot be blamed for the still-large number of statelessness cases.
“When the people are still unaware of their basic human rights, fear of repercussion had paralysed them making them helpless due to financial constraint and long processing time.
“Coincidentally, JPN needs to acquire adequate funding from the Home Ministry so that it can bring ‘the office to the people’ through mobile counters if the people are incapacitated from coming to JPN,” he said.
While understanding there is a guideline in the application process, Bill mentioned that it is not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to Sarawak and Sabah.
“Their statelessness issue is unique. Therefore, Sadia Rajang will collaborate with JPN and the Home Ministry if the current standard operating procedure (SOP) needs an upgrade or formula to ensure that the rights of deserving applicants are met without compromising the security of the nation.
“I even suggest for the Borneo states to be self-determined in matters of its citizenship and issuance of personal identification documents. Otherwise, this issue which is a basic right to humans like clean water, electricity and infrastructure could be politicised and used as a shameful leverage to gain political mileage,” Bill stressed.
“Since the association is not politically or government-funded, the focus for now is in Sibu until we can gather enough funds from the public to conduct similar programmes in other towns in Sarawak.
“Any donation is welcomed and can be directed to RHB Bank 1-11324-0020022-1 under the name SARAWAK DAYAK IBAN ASSOCIATION (SADIA-RAJANG),” he explained.
Before coming to JPN Sibu on March 19, applicants are asked to come to Sadia Rajang office one day earlier as advised by JPN for the purpose of compilation in order to facilitate the process. There are feedback forms to be filled for follow-up and reference purposes.
Bill also reminded those coming to bring their own face mask, and to be orderly as befits any large gathering.
