The predicament of ‘stateless’ people born in Sarawak is expected to be solved by September next year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said a time frame has been set up to resolve the issue, adding that eligible applicants with complete documentation that fulfills all requirements will be approved within this month.

“I have set a time frame in which those eligible to obtain their identity card and birth certificate will be dealt with by Dec 1.

“If there are still others who have yet to obtain their identity card and birth certificate, I have instructed Deputy Home Minister Datuk Masir Kujat and the National Registration Department (JPN) State director to address the matter even after Dec 1.

“We (Home Ministry) have set a goal in which the problem must be fully solved by September 2018. We are addressing this problem as we are aware that such cases have been around for a long period of time,” Ahmad Zahid, who is Home Minister, told a press conference after a working visit to the state police headquarters here yesterday.

He also said he had met with Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, who has been given the responsibility by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to tackle the problem regarding ownership of identity cards and birth certificates among Sarawakians.

He disclosed that a special task force was set up by JPN in addition to the taskforce set up by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun to ensure all residents in rural areas, especially among the Iban and Penan community, would not face problems owning an identity card and birth certificate.

Among those present during the visit were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Daryll Law

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