Opar constituency is grappling with a significant number of stateless citizens, requiring immediate attention from relevant departments and agencies.
Its assemblyman Billy Sujang said that this issue not only common in his constituency but potentially in other border area constituencies as well.
“These stateless citizens primarily stem from improper marriage documentation involving Malaysian and Indonesian couples residing in Sarawak,” said Billy when debating in support for the Head of State address at DUN sitting today.
According to him, a recent collaborative data collection effort by the Ministry of Welfare, Women, and Community Development, the District Office, and the State Safety and Enforcement Unit (UKPN) indicated that 227 individuals from 36 villages were affected by this predicament. Regrettably, this exercise failed to yield any outcomes, leaving the applicants in a state of uncertainty.
Moreover, Billy highlighted the dire consequences faced by these unfortunate children who are denied proper education in government schools due to their stateless status.
“With the best interests of these children in mind, I implore the relevant departments and agencies to prioritise and swiftly resolve this issue,” pleaded Billy.
“Further delays are unacceptable. It is time to take immediate action on their Malaysian citizenship registration, once and for all.”
Meanwhile Billy also called for the expedited construction of the long-awaited “bridge too far” at Kampung Selampit, a pressing concern for the people in his constituency.
“Despite the budget approval for the bridge in 2017, the actual construction has been marred by mysterious delays, which is utterly unacceptable and deeply frustrating for local residents,” said Billy.
In an era dominated by the fourth industrial revolution, it is disheartening to witness the continued plight of the local community, including schoolchildren, who daily risk their lives crossing a crocodile-infested river in makeshift boats, and later carry their goods over kilometres to reach their homes.
Billy urged the relevant departments to expedite the construction of the Selampit bridge in 2023 and provide an update on the status of the long-approved RM27 million Selampit bridge and the RM72 million Selampit to Kampung Kendaie Road.
