Federal–state task force steps up efforts to resolve undocumented S’wak residents issue, says Home Minister

Saifuddin (left) meets Abang Johari during a federal–state coordination meeting aimed at resolving documentation issues affecting Sarawak residents, particularly those in remote areas. Photo: Saifuddin Nasution Ismail/Facebook

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Jan 21: The federal government and the Sarawak government are intensifying efforts to resolve the long-standing issue of Sarawak residents without identification documents, particularly those living in remote interior areas, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

In a Facebook post yesterday (Jan 20), Saifuddin said he was in Sarawak to chair the ‘Steering Committee Meeting of the Special Task Force on Addressing Issues of Sarawak Residents Without Identification Documents’, together with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“The issue of the lack of identification documents, especially in the interior areas of Sarawak, is among the matters that we are giving very serious attention to,” he said.

He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Sarawak government, is working to ensure affected individuals are not left behind and can receive the assistance they need.

“Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs together with the Sarawak government are doing their utmost so that those involved will not continue to be marginalised and can be helped,” he said.

Saifuddin expressed confidence that with strong cooperation from all parties, progress is being made towards a more effective and comprehensive solution.

“InsyaAllah, with the cooperation of all parties, we are moving towards a better and more holistic resolution,” he added. — DayakDaily