Why did it take over 50 years for Border Scouts to get citizenship?

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Prolonged Citizenship Approval for Former Border Scouts Linked to Administrative Delays

The lengthy wait of over five decades for former Border Scouts Basar Arun and Joseph Pengiran to obtain Malaysian citizenship appears to stem from administrative and bureaucratic processes, rather than explicit policy barriers mentioned in the provided information. While the exact reasons for the delay are not detailed, the eventual approval for these individuals, along with five other former Border Scouts from Lawas who served during the Indonesian Confrontation (1963-1966), signifies a resolution to their prolonged period of statelessness.
Citizenship Granted to Remaining Border Scouts

Basar Arun, aged 85, and Joseph Pengiran, aged 79, finally received their Malaysian identity cards on March 14 and April 7, 2024, respectively. They are the final two of seven former Border Scouts from Lawas to be granted citizenship. This follows the approvals for Baranabas @ Branabas Palong, Sia Lupang @ Sia Lopong, and Tabed Raru, who received their citizenship between 2021 and 2023.
Two Scouts Passed Away Before Approval

Tragically, two of the seven Border Scouts, Basar Paru and Kademus Liling, passed away before their citizenship applications were approved. Basar Paru died in August 2022 at the age of 92, and Kademus Liling died in June 2023 at the age of 79. Their deaths highlight the decades-long struggle for recognition experienced by these individuals.
Advocacy and Media Attention Played a Role

The plight of these former Border Scouts was brought to public attention through a series of articles published by The Borneo Post. Persistent advocacy efforts, assisted by individuals like local activist Agnes Padan, alongside media coverage, appear to have been instrumental in bringing their cases to the forefront and facilitating the eventual approval of their citizenship applications by the federal government. Basar Arun has indicated plans to apply for citizenship for his children, who currently hold temporary resident status.

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Why did it take over 50 years for Border Scouts to get citizenship?

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