BAU: Efforts to solve the problem of ‘stateless’ children in Sarawak has hit a snag.
This follows the Home Ministry’s directive to dissolve the Special Committee on Citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution.
The move has resulted in calls for granting of citizenship status in Sarawak to be placed under the purview of the state government instead of the Home ministry.
Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh said the dissolution of the special committee would adversely affect the Sarawak government’s efforts in solving issues faced by ‘stateless’ and undocumented children, many of whom are found in remote areas due to problems in registering their birth.
He noted that the government has managed to solve many such cases through the Sarawak Special Committee on Citizenship and asked why this special programme was terminated since it was proven effective in solving citizenship status of those ‘stateless’ people in Sarawak.
“Why must it be terminated when it is beneficial and has proven effective in solving problems faced by Sarawakians?” he asked.
He was commenting on the announcement by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim to discontinue the Sarawak Special Committee on Citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution on July 22.
Miro suggested that perhaps it’s time Sarawak be given full autonomy over immigration and citizenship status of her people.
The committee was set up in October 2016, with approval from the then Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
On July 26, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said she received a letter dated July 22 from the Home Ministry’s secretary general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim on the discontinuation of the committee.
