SIBU: The founder of ICON (Independent Council of Natives) and chairman of Sadia-Rajang, Bill Jugah has applauded Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah for the Temporary Identification Documents (DSITKS) initiative.
In a statement on Friday (Oct 14) he said the initiative is a sterling example of a successful collaboration between various NGOs and the state government in upholding the inherent rights of a marginalised segment of the community.
“This huge milestone did not materialise overnight but is a result of a long and tedious collection of data from various categories of statelessness spread all over Sarawak both from rural and urban areas.
“I have received close to 2,000 cases which I will need to sort through for submission,” he said.
The DSITKS starts on Nov 1, as announced by Fatimah recently and application forms can be obtained from district offices and the ministry itself.
“With this, I hope other government agencies will also put the needs of the people first instead of being too rigid in following outdated departmental guidelines. The term ‘public servants’ means to serve the public and do it well,” he added.
DSITKS is a temporary document for stateless individuals under the age of 21 in Sarawak to only facilitate its holder in obtaining access to education and health facilities.
Fatimah in a news report said that successful applicants will be issued a DSITK certificate, which will look similar to a birth certificate issued by the National Registration Department (NRD).
She added the documents will be valid for three years and those granted the temporary certificate may reapply for the documents if their citizenship application is still being processed after DSITK’s validity expires.
