SIBU: The application for the temporary document to individuals without citizenship (DSITKS) is still far from expectation, says Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development said the ministry was expecting more however, thus far, only 100 applications of DSITKS had been received by the respective district offices since the application opened on Nov 1.
Hence, the Dalat assemblywoman said the ministry needed to double their efforts in order to make sure the initiative is made known to the public as the state wants to see as many stateless children gain access to education when the new school term begins on March 20 next year.
“When the new school term begins in March next year, we want children whose citizenship status has not been determined yet, can get to school,” she said in her speech at DSITKS roadshow for community leaders at Destiny for Children Association Sibu on Monday (Dec 12).
Fatimah noted that so far, the ministry had conducted three DSITKS roadshows from September to December this year.
DSITKS, she said, was an initiative of the Sarawak government which started this year for stateless children to access education and healthcare.
“This temporary document is issued to individuals below 21 years old born in Sarawak. So, it can only be used in the state.”
She also pointed out that only those who had applied for citizenship under Article 15A of the Malaysia Constitution can apply for the temporary document which is valid for a two-year period.
However, she said that DSITKS can be extended if the holder still fails to obtain citizenship within the two-year period.
“Education is the basic right of every child irrespective of their race, religion, and family social status.
“So, the state government is issuing this temporary document to children without documents,” she said.
