KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has called for a definitive, "once-and-for-all" solution to Sabah's long-standing citizenship issues.
In his winding up speech on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024, he expressed his agreement with several Sabah members of parliament, including Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan (GRS-Keningau), Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (PH-Tuaran), and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna), who had raised concerns over the matter.
Saifuddin said he would tackle the Sabah citizenship issue next and had asked for the cooperation of the state government in the matter.
"Based on a 2015 census by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), there were 29,000 Bajau Laut (sea nomads) in Sabah, of whom only 6,000 were Malaysians.
"We need to manage the rest, and we must have the courage to provide identity to this group. I leave it to the state government to make decisions on this matter, but I must appreciate the state's initiative.
"I agree with the other MPs that there should be a definitive, once-and-for-all solution to address Sabah's long-standing citizenship issues.
"We need to have certainty regarding the IIM13 card, the 'Burung-Burung' card, or census cards," he said.
The Burung-Burung card is issued primarily to marginalised communities such as the Bajau Laut and Suluk in Sabah.
It is often used to indicate an individual's legal status and residency in Malaysia, especially for those who do not possess official citizenship documents.
Saifuddin said the Sabah government has undertaken various efforts to engage with stateless communities, but these initiatives have not been widely publicised.
"The Sabah government is engaging with these communities, particularly those who wish to transition from a life on water. There are land-based settlements where the state government plans to build houses.
"For those who no longer wish to earn their livelihood from the sea, the government is collaborating with plantation companies, including Felda Sahabat, to offer them jobs as harvesters. If they are uncomfortable working at sea or on plantations, they are also offered training in other skills.
"Their children, who are sometimes found on the streets, are gathered and placed in care homes, with two NGOs involved in providing basic numeracy skills and personal healthcare. This initiative has been implemented but not publicised.
"What gets publicised is the burning of Bajau Laut houses — that dominates the media. It's unfortunate," he said.
Saifuddin said, in line with Article 161E of the Federal Constitution, the amendments had already been approved by the governors of Sabah and Sarawak and the Conference of Rulers.
Meanwhile, he said, the amendments regarding the children of permanent residents not receiving citizenship by law will not affect Orang Asli, natives of Sabah, and the indigenous people of Sarawak.
He explained that the three groups are Malaysian citizens by operation of law under Article 160(2), Article 161A(6)(a) and Article 161A(6)(b) of the Federal Constitution.
"There is concern that the children of the Orang Asli, natives of Sabah, and the indigenous people of Sarawak may be affected when the phrase 'permanent resident' is removed, potentially preventing them from obtaining citizenship through the enforcement of the law.
"Our response is as written and guaranteed in the Federal Constitution, where it is clearly defined that the Orang Asli, natives of Sabah, and the indigenous people of Sarawak are recognised as Malaysian citizens by operation of law under Article 160(2) for the Orang Asli, Article 161A(6)(a) for the indigenous people of Sarawak, and Article 161A(6)(b) for the natives of Sabah.
"They are Malaysian citizens by operation of law, so the amendment regarding the children of permanent residents does not apply to these three groups," he said.