The Ba’kelalan assemblyman asked whether mixed-race newborns would be required to apply for the native status, or it would be automatically granted upon registration of birth.

“Will they need to apply, or is there a possibility that their status can be inserted in their birth certificates upon registration of their births?

“I am sure the state government can make arrangements with the national registration department on this matter,” Baru said in a statement.

On Tuesday, deputy minister in the premier’s department (law, Malaysia Agreement 1963, and federal-state relations) Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali announced that from Nov 1, any Sarawakian of mixed parentage could apply to be recognised as a native.

The deputy minister said applications could be filed at any district office with a fee of RM100.

Baru also said the application process might create bureaucratic and financial problems for the applicants.

He suggested that applications should be dealt with at the district level by district officers or the state’s administrative officer with minimal processing fees after they had been furnished with the valid documents to support such applications.

“Giving them decision-making powers would avoid unnecessary delays, and the added advantage is that they often have the local knowledge and connections to enable them to grant approvals speedily.

“A fee of RM10 should be sufficient, as the government does not want to be seen as making money off people who need such a crucial right to be recognised by the state,” Baru said.