Stateless kids will be a major hitch if not documented

KOTA KINABALU - Stateless children in Sabah will be issued a ‘status’ but it does not guarantee them automatic citizenship, said Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Their status is more to avoid social complications in the future as well as on humanitarian grounds.

“We want to ensure that they are in the system and traceable should they get involved in any crimes one day in the future,” he told reporters after a courtesy call on the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at the Sri Gaya Tuesday.

“What will happen to them if they do not possess birth certificate, identity card (IC) or any kind of documentations? We cannot send them to their countries of origin because they were born and grew up here … they cannot stay stateless.



Wan Junaidi said that if nothing is done now and the problem not officially recognised, it will become a major social problem in the future

He said the stateless people problem happens everywhere in Malaysia, adding that it is also a global issue.

“This is a global phenomenon. If a country continues to be prosperous with good social conditions, people from neighbouring countries will definitely flood our country,” he said, giving examples such as the Mexicans who seek greener pastures in California, USA.

Meanwhile, the Sabah National Registration Department director Ismail Ahmad disclosed that there are three types of birth certificates that is divided into two colours, namely green for citizens and red for non-citizens and queue (for those with pending status).

Also present at the courtesy call on Musa was NRD director-general Datuk Jariah Mohd Said.

All babies born in Malaysia are eligible for a birth certificate, but it does not mean they will automatically be awarded Malaysian citizenship.

“We divide them into two categories – citizens and non-citizens. Their status, whether they will be awarded citizenship or not, will be determined later (when they apply for the ICs),” added Wan Junaidi.

The identity card is also divided into three colours, namely MyKad for citizens, and red and green where red IC holders are non-Malaysian permanent residents, while green IC holders are non-Malaysian temporary residents.

On whether the red and green IC holders will be given citizenship, he said it would only be determined in time to come.

“They will have to meet certain criteria such as having a clean background, not involved in crime and have shown their loyalty to the country,” said Wan Junaidi.

By Jessieanne Joannes