Klang MP: Citizenship best Merdeka gift for stateless children

The best Merdeka Day present that can be given is granting citizenship to stateless children to allow them to celebrate this day as Malaysians, said Charles Santiago.

The Klang MP pointed out that despite 65 years of independence, many children remain “in shackles” as the government refuses to recognise them as citizens, leaving them with no access to education or healthcare.

“Things must change for these kids. In order for that to happen, the government must review how they assess citizenship applications and communicate to applicants the reasons for rejection.

“We need a transparent and streamlined standard operating procedure for citizenship applications to reduce inconsistencies.

“These children, some of whom have become adults, have dreams and ambitions. But not only are they unable to achieve their goals but are open to abuse, exploitation and trafficking,” he said in a statement.

Charles called on Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to solve the issue of statelessness.

The citizenship issue has been longstanding in the country.

While some, like 22-year-old Rohana Abdullah, were fortunate enough to receive the personal attention of the home minister to be granted citizenship, many stateless children still face the same predicament.

Among them include “Merdeka baby” Muhammad Omar Mokhtar Mohd Roslan, 20, who is reminded of yet another year of his statelessness.

Omar was rendered “stateless” at the age of 12 when his father, Mohd Roslan Saad, and aunt, Jamaliah Saad, tried to apply for a MyKid and the National Registration Department raised questions over the status of his biological mother's citizenship.

With no formal identification documents, Omar said he has no hope of pursuing his dreams to become a teacher despite obtaining stellar results in all major examinations, including STPM.

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