System to register stateless kids
Published on: Saturday, September 29, 2018
Keningau: A system will be put in place to address the issue of late registration of births of children from mixed marriages where one parent is a Malaysian, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. He said a realistic and comprehensive approach is needed to not only resolve the problem but also to make sure those children would not be left out in securing education in this country."Young kids cannot go to school without proper identification documents. We are concerned for their wellbeing," he told reporters when met after a "Day with the Chief Minister" programme, here, Friday.ADVERTISEMENT Mohd Shafie said there is also a need to streamline regulations whereby either parent who is a local can register the births of their children."We must have a system, for example, if one of the parents is a local (while the parent with a different nationality is absent in the family), we must consider (the local parent to register the children's birth)."But, under the law, only the wife is considered. If the husband is a local and the wife is not around, then he can't get it (register children's birth)," he said.He said there is a genuine concern about such parents who are unable to register their children to obtain MyKad and these children would grow up without proper documentation and would, thus, be deprived of secondary education through their stateless status.ADVERTISEMENT "These people are Sabahans. We need to resolve their problems. A system must be in place for them to get their documents as soon as possible and not wait until they are grown up," he said.He said there were problems of local mothers left with children through illegal marriages with foreigners, and also local men left with children from their illegal marriage with foreigners.
ADVERTISEMENT
On a proposal by District Officer Yusop Osman for a base to be set up here as it is an entry point for people from Indonesia and Brunei, Shafie said the State Government is looking into it.He said it would reduce the burden on security surveillance. There are 255 policemen in Keningau, Nabawan, Tambunan and Sook."The State Government will look into our capabilities as there are many areas that need (to improve) its security, especially the East Coast that is facing problems," said Shafie, who is also Chairman of Sabah Security Committee."We are also asking for security to be tightened in the form of deterrence at the borders or the placement of equipment to curb potential threats."Shafie said the programme, the second to be held since the Parti Warisan Sabah-led government took office, was meant for officials to go to the ground and understand the needs of the people.Shafie, who is making his first official visit to the interior since becoming Chief Minister, also looked at local issues, including land matters and requests for low cost homes, among other issues."This is a new government and, therefore, I urge top officials, government agencies and departments to be efficient and effective in reaching out to and assisting the people."At the same time, I would also urge the people to change their mindsets and attitudes," he said, referring to embracing technology to boost agricultural productivity.In a related matter, mobile courts are available to assist locals obtain identity documents and late birth certificate registration from the National Registration Department.Chief Justice of Malaysia Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, who accompanied his judicial officers on the Mobile Court in Keningau, told reporters that the mobile court has assisted some 50,000 rural Sabahans obtain their ICs and birth certificates from the NRD since 2008."If we don't do this, they will become stateless. And it would be sad if they go to hospitals and have to pay like foreigners when they are also Malaysians," he said.He said that if marriages were legally done, it could be handled by NRD, but if it's not and involves children with a single parent, it has to be handled by the court."We have to abide by the law for citizenship, birth and death under the NRD law," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
He said most cases for late registration of births was because the rural folks could not afford to go to the urban centres, and are unaware that such births had to be registered within 42 days.Shafie, who is making his first official visit to the interior since becoming Chief Minister, also looked at local issues, including land matters and requests for low cost homes, among other issues.