Children of stateless parents to get special birth documents, says Najib

KOTA KINABALU - Children of stateless individuals born in Sabah will be given a special birth document instead of birth certificates, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Launching the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) 29th delegates conference Sunday, the Prime Minister said the colour of these birth record documents would be different from the birth certificates for Malaysian citizens.

He said the Cabinet had agreed to the move due to the numerous concerns voiced by various groups and political parties in Sabah that these stateless children could gain automatic citizenship if they were issued birth certificates.

The Prime Minister also said the Government would be increasing by RM300 the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) cash assistance to deserving Malaysians next year.

He said the increase in the BR1M payments was to help Malaysians cope with escalating living costs.

Najib said the Federal Government would also offer the a stake in the massive Sabah Ammonia-Urea project (Samur) in the south west Sipitang district.

Najib said the state was expected to earn some RM1bil a year from its stake in Petronas LNG9 project in Bintulu, adding that the amount was equivalent to a 5% increase in royalties.

The Prime Minister also assured the PBS delegates that the Federal Government would always defend the freedom of religion in the country.

"If there any doubts, we will refer to the Constitution, the 20 Point Agreement and the 10 point solution," he said in adding that the Government did not want to see ‘Little Napoleons’ who different interpretations of the Government's policies to prevail.