KUCHING: Pending State Assemblywoman Violet Yong has successfully helped a 49-year-old stateless man, Tan Tang Lung to obtain his citizenship marking a major breakthrough in his decades-long battle to secure legal identity in Sarawak.
Yong said Tan who came to Sarawak by boat when he was just three years old, was born to an Indonesian mother and a local father.
However, due to the lack of proper documentation, he and his siblings grew up stateless.
“We’ve been living here all our lives. We’ve never even thought of going back to Indonesia,” Tan shared.
He managed to obtain an entry permit in 1999 and received a red identity card the following year, but he remained a permanent resident and not a citizen.
Despite several attempts to apply for citizenship, his applications went unanswered.
“By 2013, all my brothers and sisters received their citizenships. I was very disappointed, but I didn’t give up,” he said.
In 2019, after his third unsuccessful application, Tan sought help from Yong.
“When he came to me, he was desperate. He had already tried multiple times without success. I immediately assisted him in preparing and submitting a fresh application to the relevant authorities. I also seek help from Chong Chieng Jen and Kevin Yii. We try all channels” said Yong.
In January this year, Mr Tan received a response from the National Registration Department (JPN), and by March, he was informed of his success.
“I was so surprised. I didn’t expect it at all,” he recalled emotionally. With the official birth certificate now issued, Mr Tan has applied successfully for his identity card.
Yong said Tan’s case is just one example of the many stateless individuals in Sarawak who continue to face prolonged hardship due to bureaucratic hurdles.
“These are people born and raised here. They contribute to our society, yet they struggle for years just to get basic recognition. It’s heartbreaking,” she added.
While Tan has managed to travel to countries like the USA and China using special arrangements, he remains unable to visit Indonesia due to the lack of official nationality.
Now with his birth certificate in hand, Tan is finally at peace with himself. He is married with children and works as N IT in a private firm.
Although almost aged 50, Tan said he considered himself fortunate as he has seen elderly in their 70s and 80s who only managed to get their citizenship.
By Connie Chieng