KUCHING, Jan 18 ― The Home Ministry will revive the Special Committee for Citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, said Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.

The Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister said some 900 citizenship cases in Sarawak are still pending.

She explained that the special working committee lapsed with each new federal government.

"We must bear in mind that this special committee is formed ‘atas budi bicara’ (based on the discretion of the) Home Minister. When the Home Minister changed, we have to put up a request for it to be continued (or reactivated),” she told The Borneo Post today.

Yesterday, Fatimah led a Sarawakian delegation to pay a courtesy call on Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Putrajaya.

"I’m very pleased with the outcome of the visit. The Home Minister gave an assurance the process in getting citizenship under (Article) 15A for those who qualify will be expedited and the pending cases ― around 900 ― will be attended to,” she said.

Fatimah added Saifuddin also agreed to reactivate the committee and to be highly committed to the cause.

Among those accompanying Fatimah to meet with Saifuddin were deputy ministers Datuk Rosey Yunus and Mohammad Razi Sitam, ministry permanent secretary Noriah Ahmad, and Sarawak Social Development executive secretary Dr Zufar Yadi Brendan Abdullah. ― Borneo Post