THE mission to help people acquire citizenship continues as Diana received her citizenship after more than eight years, with assistance from the Penang citizenship programme.
Diana, 16, began the citizenship application process in 2017, but was rejected.
Additionally, father Derick Philip Emuang, Malaysian, previously had an issue regarding his identity card, which was corrected in 2024.
Needing assistance from a government representative, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng was approached in February 2024 to help the family resolve the citizenship issue.
“They lived within the area (Pengkalan Kota), so they came to my office for help and support,” Wong told reporters during a brief press conference at his Pengkalan Kota state constituency office in George Town earlier today.
After almost a year and a half of processing and waiting, Diana received citizenship on April 20 this year, followed by her blue identity card three days later.
Also present earlier was mother Lisa, Indonesian-Chinese, who spoke briefly about life before the citizenship, especially the cost of schooling.
Wong reiterated at the conference that anyone was eligible to be Malaysian, as long as they possess the proper documentation to back their applications.
“Regardless of race or skin colour, as long as you are eligible to become a Malaysian and obtain citizenship status, by right you should not give up your basic rights and always come forward.
“It might take time, even years, but these are the normal procedures we have to go through,” Wong emphasised.
Story and Pix by Ammar Mikhail Aamer