Kota Kinabalu: Inanam Assemblywoman Edna Majimbun has called for immediate and comprehensive measures to address the growing humanitarian crisis of undocumented children in the State, which she said could threaten the future of the State’s younger generation.
She proposed several key measures, including a proactive late registration programme carried out through ground operations by the National Registration Department (NRD).
“Beyond that, there is a need to establish a special community verification mechanism as strong supporting documentation for applications,” she said.
It was not clear whether she was referring to local or immigrant kids.
Edna also suggested the implementation of a transparent and targeted document regularisation programme.
She said many children still lack birth certificates and remain unrecognised within the national system.
“As a result, they are denied basic rights such as access to education, healthcare and social protection,” she said.
According to her, the problem stems from systemic constraints faced by parents, including unregistered marriages, births occurring outside monitored facilities or without hospital records, as well as cases where parents themselves lack proper identification documents.
She noted that while village head confirmations are often used, the mechanism is insufficient to grant legal recognition.
“This is not merely a bureaucratic or documentation issue. It is about the survival and future of an entire generation,” she stressed.
“These children did not choose to be born without identification. It is our moral responsibility to ensure they are not continuously punished due to systemic weaknesses,” Edna added.
The Native Court (Mahkamah Anak Negeri, MAN) institution must also be strengthened through reforms in leadership appointments and improved welfare for adat leaders.
Edna said the institution remains the last bastion safeguarding Sabah’s customs and traditions, and must be reinforced in line with modern administrative demands.
She stressed that empowering the Native Court is crucial to preserving the sovereignty of customary rights in the State.
“This institution is not merely a historical legacy, but a recognised legal entity under the Constitution. If we want to see it remain strong and respected, its structure and welfare must first be strengthened,” she said.
Edna proposed three key measures, beginning with reforms to the appointment mechanism of adat leadership, including District Chiefs (Ketua Daerah) and Native Chiefs (Ketua Anak Negeri).
She said inclusivity must be clearly reflected in such appointments to ensure the institution remains relevant and respected in a diverse society.
Among her proposals were more holistic guidelines to ensure socio-religious balance between Muslim and non-Muslim leaders, as well as ethnic diversity to reflect dominant communities in each district.
“This is not merely about positions, but about ensuring distributive justice so that the preservation of customs translates into fairness felt by all layers of our plural society,” she said.
Edna also called for the introduction of special incentives or annual bonuses for adat leaders, on par with benefits received by State civil servants.
She noted that despite their contractual or politically appointed status, adat leaders play a vital role in administering customary law and maintaining public order.
“The provision of such incentives is not only a form of recognition but will also enhance the dignity and integrity of the Native Court institution itself,” she said.
She urged the relevant ministry to give serious consideration to the proposals, stressing that strengthening the Native Court is essential to safeguarding Sabah’s identity and ensuring justice for its people.
