MIRI: The state government is fair to its citizens including children of mixed marriages, which is why the state wants the relevant law to be amended to give these children Bumiputera status.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg noted that mixed marriages were common in the state thus the amendment on how a Bumiputera parent can pass on their Bumiputera status is essential.
“Previously, both parents must be a Bumiputera in order to pass on the status to the children. There are many mix marriages in Sarawak and we want to be fair.
“We want to amend the law so that the children can be a Bumiputera regardless whether the mother or father is a Bumiputera,” he said at a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Temenggong Elizabeth Deng’s new longhouse, in Long Laput, Baram on Sunday (Oct 31).
Abang Johari added that there were mixed marriage families facing difficulties to pass on inheritance like native customary rights land (NCR) to their children because of their status.
At the same time, he also pointed out that Sarawak and its people were very fortunate that the state was harmonious in all aspects.
“We are blessed that our people are united and have understanding between one another. This is something that we must be thankful for.
“I hope that this unity and harmony will remain in Sarawak regardless of what happens in other states in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar recently said that children of mixed marriages with at least one native parent will be able to gain native status in the event that an amendment to the Federal Constitution pertaining to the definition of ‘natives’ is passed.
He also pointed out that approximately over 30 percent of Sarawakians were of mixed marriages.
“There are Malays who marry Chinese, and others. So according to the Federal Constitution, their children are not Bumiputera (native). We want to amend this so that children of intermarriages involving a native and non-native can be classified as native,” he said.
