Kuching: A total of 95 individuals in Sarawak have applied for the Temporary Document for Stateless Individuals (DSITKS) between January 1 and May 19 this year. Sarawak Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah reported that 35 applications had been approved, while 60 were rejected for failing to meet the eligibility criteria.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the rejections were due to various factors, including the absence of birth certificates, birth certificates not registered in Sarawak, failure to apply for citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, and applicants being over the age of 21. Fatimah Abdullah shared this information during her winding-up speech for her ministry at the State Assembly sitting.

Fatimah mentioned that to address complex citizenship cases, the Sarawak government introduced a policy involving the inclusion of the 'K' indicator on the MyKad of children granted citizenship under Article 15A. On September 26, 2024, the Sarawak government approved this policy for children adopted by or whose parents are citizens residing in Sarawak and have the 'K' indicator.

She further noted that as of April 30 this year, the Sarawak National Registration Department (NRD) received and approved 42 applications for the inclusion of the 'K' indicator for the children concerned.