Several lawyers from the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will organise a legal clinic as part of their programmes during the campaigning period, offering free legal advice and consultation to constituents in Batang Ai, Sarawak.

The clinic will be held for six days, beginning April 1 at the PKR operations centre at Kampung Untai, Lubok Antu.

baru bian The team will comprise prominent native customary rights (NCR) land lawyers Baru Bian (right), Paul Raja, Harrison Ngau and See Chee How. Also in the team are DAP lawyers Violet Yong and Grace Tan. Others include Ann Teo, Desmond Kho and Voon Shiak Ni.

"We are taking this opportunity to offer legal advice to the people of Batang Ai to address and examine the legal issues and problems prevailing on the ground faced by them," Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Wanita Sarawak said in a statement.

The PKR Wanita Sarawak and PKR Lubok Antu Division recently conducted a ground survey on the needs and queries of the people of Batang Ai. The common problems raised were NCR issues, family matters, probate matters and women’s issues.

Registration of births not done

pkr batang ai sarawak state election campaign 100309 07 The pressing problem came from residents of remote longhouses, concerning registration of births of their children.

"The issuance of birth documents is a significant problem because many marriages take place through traditional ceremonies. And many children are born in the remote kampungs, resulting in the late registration of their births.

"Parents are now facing problems with the registration due to lack of documentary evidence required by the registration authorities."

Obstacles

PKR Wanita Sarawak said the lack of an affordable public transportation system, the prohibitive costs of travel and the remoteness of the villages or kampungs posed added hindrance.

The legal team would assist the residents by providing them with the necessary forms from the National Registration Department and assist them with the necessary application.