KUCHING (July 29): It was the happiest moment for Rachel Sia when she got her MyKad in May this year, signifying the success of her quest for Malaysian citizenship of over 10 years.

However, disappointment came when the 25-year-old, who was born and raised in Sibu, saw that her identification card did not have the letter ‘K’ on it – the status indicator of a citizen being a Sarawakian.

Not having the ‘K’ imprinted on her MyKad means that Sia has no choice but to exit Sarawak every 90 days.

This mixed-feeling situation was highlighted by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Milton Foo in a recent statement.

“Sia has successfully obtained Malaysian citizenship after so many twists and turns in the past years. However, her MyKad is without the ‘K’, which stands for Sarawakian status.

“This means that Sia can only stay in Sarawak for three months, after that she must exit and re-enter the state, and this continues on,” said Foo.

According to Foo, Sia was adopted by a couple in Sibu some 20 years ago.

“The couple decided to take her in because her biological parents, whose identities remain unknown, had abandoned her.

“The adoptive mother had been helping Sia in her Malaysian citizenship application since she turned 14, but many attempts had failed due to the reason that her biological parents could not be located.”

In March 2021, Sia’s adoptive brother advised her to approach Foo for help.

“Since then, I had been helping Sia in her application for citizenship, including making representation to the then-Home Affairs Minister through SUPP president, (Deputy Premier) Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

“It’s only after that did we receive the approval letter, dated Oct 14, 2022, from the Home Affairs Ministry.

“Now, I have brought up this case to Dr Sim, in hopes that Sia’s MyKad could be updated with the ‘K’ indicator.

“I have briefed Dr Sim on the scenario, while reporting to him the process of handling the citizenship application for Sia since 2021.

“Dr Sim points out that the federal government does not have the power to issue MyKad with Sarawakian identity without Sarawak government’s consent, in view of Sarawak having its own immigration autonomy.

“This is the special power vested in the Sarawak government in order to protect the interests of Sarawakians,” Foo elaborated.

In congratulating Sia for finally getting her MyKad, Foo also said Dr Sim had pledged to help her obtain the full Sarawakian status, fulfilling her long-awaited wish of becoming a true Sarawakian