Why are multiple Sarawakian families still stateless despite being born here?

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Multiple Sarawakian Families Remain Stateless Despite Birth in the Region

A 20-year-old stateless Sarawakian, Liana Sari Santud, along with her parents and two siblings, face continued statelessness despite being born in Sarawak. The family has repeatedly applied for identity cards from the relevant authorities but has received no updates on their applications. This situation highlights a broader issue of statelessness within the region, where individuals born in Sarawak are unable to secure citizenship.
Challenges in Obtaining Identity Documents

Liana Sari Santud, a resident of Rumah Sika, Pasai Siong, has publicly shared her family's struggle to obtain official identification. She, her parents Santud Danong and Gading Gandut Ngerantar, and two of her three siblings were born in Sarawak but lack citizenship. Despite multiple applications for identity cards submitted to the authorities, the family has not received any confirmation or progress regarding their status. This lack of documentation has significant implications for their rights and access to services.
Inconsistent Citizenship Status Within Families

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Liana's elder brother, Asan, has managed to secure citizenship status on his birth certificate, even though his parents remain stateless. This disparity suggests that the process for obtaining citizenship may be inconsistent or subject to varying interpretations or administrative procedures. The presence of a sibling with citizenship within an otherwise stateless family underscores the ad hoc nature of citizenship acquisition for some Sarawakian families.
Impact on Educational Opportunities

The lack of citizenship has presented significant hurdles for Liana's educational aspirations. While she has secured a scholarship to study at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), her uncle had to act as her guarantor. This is because he is the sole member of her immediate family possessing a valid identity card, highlighting the practical barriers stateless individuals face even when pursuing higher education. UTS chairman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee has affirmed that Liana can continue her studies at the university regardless of her citizenship status and is eligible for state-funded free foundation studies.

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Why are multiple Sarawakian families still stateless despite being born here?

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