SIBU: A 20-year-old woman has finally obtained a MyKad with the ‘K’ prefix after facing citizenship problems since birth.
Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, said Lau Wei Wei’s success was the result of assistance from the Pelawan Service Centre.
He said Lau previously had difficulty obtaining a MyKad because her mother was still stateless despite being from Sarawak while her father is a Malaysian citizen.
“Because of that situation, she faced a lot of difficulties in obtaining a MyKad ‘K as a Sarawakian,” he told reporters at his service centre here today.
According to Tiang, who is also the Pelawan assemblyman, efforts are now continuing to help Lau’s mother obtain an identity card with the help of Kapitan So Teck Kee and Penghulu Ting Tien Huat.
He said that cases like this still occur in Sarawak and need to be given attention.
“I want to remind that any Sarawakian born in Malaysia to a Sarawakian parent is eligible to obtain a MyKad with the ‘K’ prefix,” he stressed.
“MyKad ‘K’ is important because it enables its holder to enjoy various state government assistance, including in education and welfare.”
Tiang added that individuals aged 21 and below can apply for citizenship under the Federal Constitution, while those older may need to go through a special procedure.
Meanwhile, Lau expressed her happiness because she can now live a life like everyone else.
“For 20 years, I wondered if I could even board a plane. Now I can and I can also continue my studies,” she enthused.
She also hoped that her mother will also get an identity card soon.
