KUCHING: The recognition of children from inter-racial marriages in Sarawak as natives was prompted by the high number of such children and marriages in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Following the recent amendment to the Interpretation Ordinance, a child will be considered a native as long as either parent is a native.
“Therefore, this also means that we will not have any problems in terms of family affairs,” Abang Johari noted.
He was speaking at a Unity Night 2022 organised by Federation of Chinese Associations Sarawak at Eastwood Valley Hotel, Miri at the weekend.
The chief minister said that intermarriage cannot be prevented because if the couple wanted to get married they would do so.
“Many mixed marriages can be seen in the state, including Chinese marrying Malays, Ibans marrying Malays, Melanau marrying Malays and so on,” he said.
Abang Johari noted that mixed marriage (hybrid) children were also known to be wise.
“If that is true then Sarawak has a lot of smart people and it will also help us to achieve the aspirations of a developed and high-income state by 2030,” he quipped.
He also hoped that unity in the diverse races in Sarawak could be maintained as it was unique for the state.
At the event, Abang Johari presented a cheque for RM5,000 to Sekolah Menengah (SM) Pei Min and SM Riam respectively.
Abang Johari also approved an allocation of RM500,000 to the Miri Division Associated Chinese Associations.
