Why I took a Summer Course learning about Stateleness

Background

I first learnt about the issue when I was exposed to the word ‘pilak’; a derogatory word for the undocumented Filipino immigrants (or PTIs, Pendatang Tanpa Izin) in my hometown, Sabah.

I felt sorry for these young Filipino children who would roam the streets begging for food and they were often regarded as ‘hoodlums’ for causing mischief and crime in the neighbourhood. I remember Dad would sometimes “help” them, by paying the older kids to help trim our lawn and then we’d offer them some food and pocket money. The “problem” to that was when you start doing that, they come in droves the next day, and it was not a permanent solution in helping them.

These stateless children in Sabah come from descendants of Filipino refugees of the 1970s, children from illegal marriages between Filipino and Indonesian illegal migrants and locals who have blended into Sabah with no roots to their homeland.

It is a complex problem that festered over the decades and is highly politicised due to the controversial “Project IC” that looms the state. Today, their countries of origin refuse to accept them back or do not recognise them as their citizens. Some have married our locals, but due to the system, their children are not granted citizenship and this is such a waste of human capital (besides the obvious of stripped human rights to education, medical care and employment).

I feel the injustice towards them while understanding the states’ concerns over this issue.

How can I help?

Sabah is seeking a way to move forward in resolving the state’s nearly 500,000 stateless people issue. Dialogues and talks are ongoing, but not at the rate expected, due to political sensitivies.

I hope to use my platform, resources and connections to lend my voice and time in ensuring this issue is prioritised; via my writings, talks, videos and social media pages.

Why take the course?

So I can get a wider and deeper understanding of law and the international initiatives on reducing statelessness. I hope to apply the knowledge to improve laws and policies that protect and promote human rights in Malaysia and in particular, Sabah; as well as to be more well-versed in the subject when talking about this with the relevant authorities and in my articles and talks.

Statelessness Summer Sourse at Institute SI in the Netherlands