KUCHING: Parents are increasingly aware of the importance of applying for citizenship for their children, including those who are stateless, adopted, or under guardianship.

The Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said the number of children applying for citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution is getting younger.

Previously, children were registered for citizenship only when they reached their teenage years.

“We are seeing younger children being registered now. In the past, it was only when children turned 19 that they were registered.

“Although the age limit for Article 15A is 21 years, it will be gazetted in Parliament for children under 18 only,” she said.

She said this during a press conference at her office on Tuesday.

In addition to making it easier for children to enroll in school, this citizenship status also allows parents to apply for various government assistance, particularly for children in Sarawak who have a “K” indicator on their identification cards. It also helps reduce costs for education and other expenses.

As of November, her office has received 36 applications, including 24 for stateless children, four for adopted children, and eight for children under guardianship. —UKASnews