KUCHING: The Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Ministry is aiming to resolve the issue of the ‘K’ indicator on identification cards for adopted children by August this year.
Its minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that the ‘K’ indicator for adopted children is currently determined based on the indicators of their biological parents.
She mentioned that the ‘K’ indicator for Sarawakians presently follows the conditions established by the National Registration Department (JPN), as outlined in the First Schedule and Schedule 1A of Subregulation 5(2) of the National Registration Regulations 1990.
Furthermore, she explained that according to Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, the ‘K’ indicator is given to a person based on their parents’ indicators and is subject to the person’s original birth certificate.
“However, this poses a problem for adopted children because most of them are unaware of and unable to trace their biological parents.
“For those who were abandoned at a young age, some may lack documentation and do not possess a birth certificate or MyKid identification.
“While we are in the process of resolving the citizenship issue for these adopted children, another challenge arises concerning the ‘K’ indicator.
Fatimah said this after the handover ceremony for Sarawak Temporary Identification Documents (DSITKS) in Kuching and Sarawak division at Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) Kuching today (June 20).
“As Sarawakians, it is crucial for adopted children to have the ‘K’ indicator, as it impacts their eligibility for scholarships or loans from Yayasan Sarawak if they wish to pursue further studies or seek employment in the state,” she explained.
Therefore, Fatimah said the need for clearer regulations and guidelines, as adopted children often fall under the ‘lain-lain’ or ‘others’ category in this matter.
“We will thoroughly study this matter in collaboration with relevant agencies before presenting it to the Cabinet for approval,” she concluded.
