By Olivia Miwil - April 24, 2022 @ 2:43pm
KOTA KINABALU: Issues related to stateless children, including sea gypsies will be included in the preliminary report on undocumented foreigners in Sabah.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, who heads the special committee, said they would take into account this long-standing issue in the state.
"We cannot let them be stateless and they need to belong to something. They need to be dealt with and helped with their future.
"As for Pa' lau (sea gypsies), it is a special problem, and we must ensure they are protected and not exploited by unscrupulous people," he said after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (Anzac) Day memorial "Lest We Forget" at the World War I Monument, here.
This week, opposition lawmakers raised the issue of stateless children in the city following a viral video of two boys placing sharp items on the road.
In recent years, these children were seen roaming the city to beg for money and knocking on vehicles' windows at traffic light junctions.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey added that the report would be presented by May 15.
"We will go into details of every data, we need to put up the framework and policy, as well as what can be done," he said.
As for the Anzac Remembrance Day, Jeffrey said it was a significant day to remember fallen heroes.
He added the solemn event reminded people of the sacrifice made by the army for the security and sovereignty of the state and country.
In 1923, the monument was erected to commemorate fallen British soldiers who fought in the first world war and fallen Australian war heroes who fought to defend Sabah, then known as North Borneo, in the second world war.
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