In a statement, Noor Aziah applauded the Sarawak government’s initiative as it enabled stateless children there to obtain access to public education and medical services, at the same rate as citizens.

“In addition to violations of their right to a nationality, stateless persons are often subject to many other human rights violations and thus, I appeal to the federal government to adopt the same measure in all states.

“I also implore the federal government to cooperate with the Sarawak government in their progressive efforts by ensuring that education and health authorities recognise the temporary documentation,” she said.

Noor Aziah said her office, first established in 2019, had received numerous complaints related to stateless children, from delays or denials in school admissions to high education and medical fees.

She warned that these were contrary to Malaysia’s international obligation to ensure that all institutions prioritise the best interests of children, having ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1995.

“According to Section 28 of the CRC, Malaysia is obliged to ensure all children in Malaysia, including undocumented children, are able to access free education,” she said.

She pointed out that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in November that every child had the right to proper education, and his predecessor, Muhyiddin Yassin, also said the same thing in May last year.

Earlier, state minister for women, childhood and community wellbeing development Fatimah Abdullah said the temporary documents for those under 21 in Sarawak would give them access to education and health services while they apply for their Malaysian citizenship.

However, the temporary documents did not amount to a promise that they would obtain Malaysian citizenship, she said.