TAWAU: A special committee will be set up to address the recurring issue of the Palauh (Sea Gypsies) community and stateless children which has persisted without a concrete solution, said State Health, Women and People’s Wellbeing Assistant Minister Datuk Rina Jainal.
She said the Ministry recognised the need for a new approach as existing measures, including the establishment of temporary placement centres (PPS) for the Palauh community and street children, have not resolved the problem comprehensively.
Rina said enforcement agencies were often limited to a “catch-and-release” approach due to technical constraints, particularly because many of those involved do not possess identification documents.
“We do not yet have a truly effective system to ensure this problem does not continue to recur,” she said after launching the Sabah State Unity Kindergarten Sports Carnival and Smart Start School programme at SK Bahagia’s Bitara Hall, here, Saturday.
She was commenting on recent viral social media images showing a large group of Palauh adults and children occupying Persiaran Traulsen, where they were seen sleeping, cooking, washing and drying clothes.
The area was also reportedly littered with rubbish. Rina said the issue of stateless children requires more systematic management as it not only involves their welfare but also has social implications for the wider community and citizen children.
“We need to think about the future of these children over the next 10 to 20 years because they did not choose to be born without documentation.
“That is why a holistic approach must be developed to prevent this issue from continuing,” she said.
She added that the matter had also been discussed with Minister Datuk Julita Majungki to identify policy and administrative solutions.
Rina said the issue was not unique to Tawau or Sabah, noting that many countries, particularly border regions, face similar challenges.
“During the recent Child Act Symposium in Parliament, I was informed that undocumented children remain a challenge in many other countries.
“Therefore, the solution requires cooperation from various parties and a more comprehensive policy framework,” she said.
