17 July 2024

On Today Show — Agnes Padan, Human rights activist from Lawas – Improving MyKad Access: The Next Step for Citizenship Rights — Bill Jugah, chairman SADIA Rejang – Education and Development Disparities in Kanowit — Mariam from Bakong – Political Intrigue in Bakong: Longhouse Community Divided Over Leadership Topik Pada Hari Ini - Agnes Padan, aktivis hak asasi manusia dari Lawas - Meningkatkan Akses MyKad: Langkah Seterusnya untuk Hak Kewarganegaraan - Bill Jugah, pengerusi SADIA Rejang - Ketidaksamaan Pendidikan dan Pembangunan di Kanowit - Mariam dari Bakong - Intrik Politik di Bakong: Komuniti Rumah Panjang Terbelah Mengenai Kepimpinan --------------------- Agnes Padan, Human rights activist from Lawas. *Improving MyKad Access: The Next Step for Citizenship Rights* Today, Agnes shares the persistence of a family in obtaining citizenship rights for their child. After trying for 14 years, last Monday, the long-awaited MyKad was finally claimed from the Putrajaya NRD office. According to Agnes, the MyKad application for this male teenager started when he was 12 years old. Now, he is almost married, self-employed, and lives in Kampung Buangsiol, Limbang. Recently, there have been many successful MyKad applications for Category 15A, which are citizenship applications for children whose fathers are Malaysian citizens. However, according to Agnes, citizenship applications for foreign women married to Malaysian men have not yet been successful. She hopes that the government will simplify citizenship matters for those who are entitled and have complete documents. Agnes also hopes that the expectation of the people of Lawas district for a new hospital will be fulfilled this year. The hospital building currently in use was built in 1969 and only provides daily medical services. There are no specialist doctor services available. Agnes questions why Lawas, a district, should only have a health clinic when it should have a full hospital. She points out that many do not know that Lawas is located in the northern part of Sarawak, bordering Brunei and Indonesia, and neighboring Sabah. Due to its geography and border-crossing issues, the lives of the people of Lawas are in danger every day during emergencies. Agnes hopes that the construction of the new hospital will be completed this year, as the community has been waiting too long. Health facilities and citizenship rights are the most basic human rights, according to Agnes Padan. ----------------------