Pakatan Rakyat pledges upon forming federal government, to use all
necessary and required resources available to resolve the long
outstanding problem of Malaysians without documentation, primarily birth
certificates and identity cards (MyKads).
I categorically state that this will be a priority of our government; we will urgently, expediently and comprehensively complete the documentation exercise for them.
Hundreds of thousands of Indians, Dayaks and others born in Malaysia are living without documentation because government process failed them. Without documents they are denied schooling, employment, healthcare, travel, social security, government aid, public office and voting rights.
They predominately are from economically challenged backgrounds and regions, and without documents they are further disenfranchised, falling into the fringes of society and remaining impoverished. They are effectively removed from contributing to the country’s economy.
It is widespread and acute in the Indian and Dayak community, and despite repeated promises from Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders and elected representatives, their plight continues.
Citizenship is the most important right in a democratic society.
Part 3 of the Federal Constitution contains provisions ensuring no person shall be rendered stateless in Malaysia. Yet hundreds of thousands are stateless because a BN government has long forgotten them.
Further, most of these victims are citizens by operation of law under Article 14 of the Federal Constitution, since they were born and raised in Malaysia. They are either without documents or forced to accept MyKads designated for non-citizens.
One case has triggered the conscience of Malaysians over the last fortnight. A Form 5 student Reshina Batumanathan was born and raised here, yet she has been repeatedly denied a MyKad. The National Registration Department has only issued her a non-citizen permit so that she can continue her schooling. Her future is bleak and uncertain without the MyKad she is entitled to. Reshina is a symbol and example of the stateless Malaysians.
The issue of undocumented Malaysians is a moral issue, central to social justice. Reshina and the hundreds of thousands like her are living lesser lives in their own country. Pakatan Rakyat will champion these Malaysians and gain them their constitutionally guaranteed rights when we form government.
DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
I categorically state that this will be a priority of our government; we will urgently, expediently and comprehensively complete the documentation exercise for them.
Hundreds of thousands of Indians, Dayaks and others born in Malaysia are living without documentation because government process failed them. Without documents they are denied schooling, employment, healthcare, travel, social security, government aid, public office and voting rights.
They predominately are from economically challenged backgrounds and regions, and without documents they are further disenfranchised, falling into the fringes of society and remaining impoverished. They are effectively removed from contributing to the country’s economy.
It is widespread and acute in the Indian and Dayak community, and despite repeated promises from Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders and elected representatives, their plight continues.
Citizenship is the most important right in a democratic society.
Part 3 of the Federal Constitution contains provisions ensuring no person shall be rendered stateless in Malaysia. Yet hundreds of thousands are stateless because a BN government has long forgotten them.
Further, most of these victims are citizens by operation of law under Article 14 of the Federal Constitution, since they were born and raised in Malaysia. They are either without documents or forced to accept MyKads designated for non-citizens.
One case has triggered the conscience of Malaysians over the last fortnight. A Form 5 student Reshina Batumanathan was born and raised here, yet she has been repeatedly denied a MyKad. The National Registration Department has only issued her a non-citizen permit so that she can continue her schooling. Her future is bleak and uncertain without the MyKad she is entitled to. Reshina is a symbol and example of the stateless Malaysians.
The issue of undocumented Malaysians is a moral issue, central to social justice. Reshina and the hundreds of thousands like her are living lesser lives in their own country. Pakatan Rakyat will champion these Malaysians and gain them their constitutionally guaranteed rights when we form government.
DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
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