KUCHING: Iban teenager Peter Christopher Keli has finally obtained his Malaysian citizenship after an 18-year wait.
In 2006, Peter, just a few months old at the time, was entrusted to one Madam Lee, then a coffee shop cleaner, by his Iban father and an Indonesian mother.
And he has remained in Lee’s care ever since.
Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong said that she had tirelessly fought for Peter’s citizenship by following up with the National Registration Department’s Birth Registry Unit and the Sarawak Native Customs and Traditions Council to ensure the success of his citizenship application.
“We have finally achieved the desired outcome – obtaining Malaysian citizenship for Peter after receiving the approval letter from the National Registration Birth Registry.
“This has brought great relief to Peter’s guardian, Madam Lee, who is now 75-years-old,” she said in a statement.
In addition to assisting Lee in obtaining the guardianship order from the High Court, Yong also helped her rectify Peter’s birth certificate to include the customary marriage of Peter’s biological parents, which took place before Peter’s birth.
This was necessary so that Peter could be granted the citizenship status of his biological father, who is Malaysian.
Before the amendments to the relevant particulars in Peter’s birth certificate, his citizenship had been tied to his biological mother’s Indonesian nationality.
“Due to a discrepancy in Peter’s name on the guardianship order and the newly extracted birth certificate, I will assist them in filing a court application for correction and promptly help Peter apply for a MyKad,” she said.
