KUCHING, Mar 18: The Sarawak government, through the Special Committee on Citizenship Status (JKKSK), will continue to advocate for stateless children in the state by expediting the approval process.
Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said it was crucial to ensure these children have access to education and secure their future.
“Me, along with the ministry’s deputy ministers (Datuk Rosey Yunus and Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam), who have been teachers, understand how difficult it is when a child without citizenship status tries to enrol in school,” she said during the Aidilfitri Contribution Packaging Ceremony 2024 here today.
She noted that the situation becomes even more challenging when parents are forced to pay foreigner fees due to having no proper documentation for their citizenship.
“We see that due to these difficulties, children are not attending school – they are deprived of access to education. Education is a fundamental right for every child,” she said.
Fatimah further revealed that seven former stateless children under state welfare institutions has their application approved thus far.
On the event this morning, 11 agencies, including security and enforcement forces, as well as uniformed bodies, will receive contributions in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
The contributions will be handed over by Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, during the Symbolic Presentation Ceremony of Aidilfitri Contributions 2024 on March 20th.
The Aidilfitri Contribution Program 2024 is organised to extend the state government’s appreciation to security and enforcement personnels’ contributions who serve the nation during the Aidilfitri celebration. – TVS
