Chang says the absence of the K-indicator signified that the children were considered non-Sarawakians and were ineligible for state benefits. – The Borneo Post photo
SIBU (April 10): Children who were previously stateless, born in Sarawak, legally adopted by Sarawakian parents, and have since been registered as Malaysian citizens are advised to check their identity cards (IC) to see if they have the K-indicator.
Former Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang made this call following a recent news report about a previously stateless child who was granted citizenship in 2024 and subsequently received the K-indicator on his identity card.
“If applicants have not yet received the K-indicator, they should visit the nearest National Registration Department (JPN) branch to apply for it,” she said.
“We have been raising this issue since August 2021 when we realised that some of the children whom we had assisted with obtaining citizenship, were given the Malaysian identity cards without the K-indicator,” she said.
The absence of the K-indicator, she explained, signified that the children were considered non-Sarawakians and were ineligible for state benefits.
“Many of these formerly-stateless individuals from Sarawak who were granted Malaysian citizenship are now working outside Sarawak, and this is a great blow to us as we have lost the talents to build up Sarawak.”
“After nearly five years of advocating for this issue and liaising with the relevant ministries, it is heartening that finally these children who were previously granted the Malaysian citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, can now successfully apply for the status of `anak Sarawak’,” she said in a statement.
“Hopefully, more of these applicants will be able to receive the K-indicator in their identity card so that they can help contribute to Sarawak.”
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