KUCHING: The ‘K’ indicator on the MyKad is becoming increasingly important for Sarawakians as more state government initiatives and welfare schemes require proof of Sarawak status.
In stating this Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the indicator not only reflected Sarawak identity, but also determined eligibility for various state-specific benefits and assistance programmes.
“Many government initiatives now require the ‘K’ indicator to confirm eligibility. It is very important,” she told reporters after chairing the Special Committee on Citizenship Status meeting at the National Registration Department (JPN) building here on Monday (May 25).
Among the initiatives linked to the ‘K’ indicator are the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance Scheme (SKAS), the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), Endowment Fund Sarawak (EFS) and the Kenyalang Gold Card programme.
Fatimah said even welfare assistance under her ministry, including childbirth aid and dialysis assistance, required applicants or family members to possess the indicator.
“For the RM450 childbirth assistance, either the husband or wife must have the ‘K’ indicator,” she said.
She added that the ‘K’ indicator was also necessary for applications involving welfare and medical assistance, including support for dialysis treatment and selected medical equipment.
Fatimah explained that the indicator carried additional significance because of Sarawak’s immigration autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), particularly in matters involving identity verification for Sarawak residents.
She also clarified that having the ‘K’ indicator on a MyKad did not automatically qualify an individual to have the same indicator in an international passport.
“The process involving passports falls under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Department and is subject to the Immigration Act 1959/63,” she said, adding that the ‘K’ indicator had become an important symbol of Sarawak identity and belonging amid the state’s rapid development and growing global profile.
