KUCHING: Ten young children aged 4 to 17 yesterday received their Letters of Approval for Citizenship under Section 15(A) of the Federal Constitution.
Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah presented the letters issued by the Home Ministry to the recipients at Wisma Wanita here.
Fatimah said that as of yesterday, a total of 21 meetings had been held to discuss the citizenship applications.
“After the establishment of the Special Committee on Citizen Status in November 2016, we have discussed a total of 682 applications,” she revealed.
She added that in November 2016, 190 applications were debated and a total of 120 applicants had received their Letters of Approval from the Home Ministry while the remaining were informed by the ministry by mail.
She noted that as of November 2017, 118 applications for citizenship were approved by the ministry.
Fatimah also expressed her gratitude to Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for his contributions and assistance rendered during a special visit by her ministry to his office on Feb 22 this year.
“To be a Malaysian citizen is the highest award that these children can get,” she said before presenting the letters to the children.
Fatimah also advised parents to have all necessary documents with them when applying for citizenship for their children.
She pointed out that it would be a hassle for them if they did not have certain necessary documents with them.
“If there were applications that were rejected before, the applicants can appeal and the appeal will go through this Special Committee,” she explained.
Fatimah stressed that the Special Committee was only helping children aged 21 years and below.
“If there are people who are 22 years and above wanting to apply for citizenship, my ministry is unable to help as the matter comes under Section 19 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
“My ministry has organised this Special Committee specifically to help with this matter (Section 15(A)) as our concerns are the children’s education and benefits,” she said.
“After our visit to Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s office on February 22, he agreed that the Special Committee should be continued and that it should recruit more members.”
Among those present during the presentation of the Letters of Approval were Sarawak Women, Family and Childhood Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus, Malaysia Home Ministry Deputy Chief Secretary (Policy Area) Datuk Wan Dahlan Abdul Aziz, Sarawak National Registry Department Director Abang Noraffian Abang Ibrahim, Malaysia Home Ministry Head Assistant Secretary (Operation) Amirul Asyraf Ismail and Sarawak National Registry Department Deputy Director Mohd Azfar Matnor.
