KUCHING (July 7): Bau District Office has received 331 applications for Sarawak native status within the past six months, according to a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).

It said that 41 applications had been approved so far, while another 290 were still being processed.

Sarawakians who are of mixed parentage (one parent native and one non-native parent) can now apply for native status following the implementation of the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, effective Nov 1 last year.

Before the amendment of the law, Sarawakians could only have native status only if both their parents were native Sarawakians.

Meanwhile, a total 10 successful applicants in Bau received their native status at a symbolic ceremony held at Bau District Office Complex on Friday.

President of Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, handed over the certificates, witnessed by Deputy Minister of Transport and Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep.