KUCHING: Alena Murang hopes the district offices in Sarawak will provide the necessary information, including the application process, documents as well as payment methods for those who wish to claim their native status effective Nov 1.
The award winning Sarawakian songwriter and sape player said she would be applying for and registering her native status but was unsure about the process yet.
“Since there is an application process needed for us to claim our native status, we would like to make sure that applications are approved efficiently and effectively,” she said.
Alena suggested that district offices outlined the documents needed (original or photocopied copies) and estimated processing time as well as whether the application could be done online and whether any application form would be available online before Nov 1.
“We need to know the things we need to prepare before Nov 1; this can help to expedite the whole process,” she said.
Alena also questioned the documents or physical proofs to show that Sarawak recognised them as ‘native’ legally.
Would the status be reflected in their MyKads or in separate documents once their applications were approved?
“Of course, we also wish to know about the payment methods and options available.
“Apart from that, will there be any resources available for those unable to afford the RM100 application fee?” she asked.
Alena, 32, was born in Kuching, Sarawak, to a Kelabit father Datuk Ose Murang and an English-Italian mother Datin Valerie Mashman. She is among the children of mixed parentage who have not been recognised as natives in Sarawak legally in the past.
With the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, which would be enforced on Nov 1, 2023, children of mixed parentage can own native land and have native (Bumiputera/Pribumi) status recognition for entry into public universities or tertiary institutions.
The amendment would resolve the predicaments of those having their ‘native’ status questioned or those not previously recognised as native by the government.
Many children of mixed marriages in Sarawak have been denied their rights, especially when it comes to inheriting native title land or Native Customary Rights’ (NCR) land from their parents.
Prior to the amendment, the Federal Constitution Article 161A(6)(a) read together with Article 161A (7) as well as Section 3 of the Interpretation Ordinance of Sarawak 2005, stated that only children from marriages between natives of Sarawak are considered to be a native of the state.
It means that if one of the parents is a non-native, the children from such marriages will not be considered as natives even if the father is one.
Under the Sarawak Land Code, children of mixed marriages between a native and non-native cannot inherit native title land or NCR land from their parents. Only children with both native parents can.
