KOTA KINABALU: Temporary shelters will be established in several districts in the state to address the stateless children issue, the Sabah Legislative State Assembly was told today.
The shelter will be under the purview of the state government, through its State Affairs and Research office and Welfare Services Department as well as local authorities.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the initiative was in line with the 1989 Geneva Convention related to children's rights in getting protection from danger, including exploitation and the Child Act 2001.
For now, the state government will start a pilot project in the state capital to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme.
He said the state government had identified a government house, which is no longer being used, to be turned into a temporary shelter. A fund of RM250,000 has also been allocated to renovate the property to turn it into a temporary centre. It is expected to begin operations by the end of this year.
Hajiji said the people's volunteer corps (Rela) personnel will be in charge of the security around the clock while the Health Ministry will look at the health aspects of the children.
"In terms of the concept, it will target sea gypsy (Bajau Laut) children, whether they are with their guardians or without. They will be rescued during scheduled or targeted operations conducted by the local authorities.
"These street kids will be sent to the shelter for up to three months and it also provides a special programme on teaching them skills involving self-care, community living and spiritual learning," he said.
He said upon completion of the programme, the children would be returned to their caregivers with conditions.
He was replying to questions by Datuk Ewon Benedick (Upko-Kadamaian), Dumi Pg Masdal (Warisan- Silam) and appointed assemblyman Datuk Amisah Yassin on issues related to stateless children and beggars.
He added that stateless children were mainly from the sea gypsy community who have no documents and traditionally live along the coastal areas and islands.
Hajiji's replies were read by his Assistant Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir.
In replying to a supplementary question from Phoong Jin Zhe (DAP-Luyang) on the number of stateless children in the state capital, Abidin said that based on records, there were 228 houses with 1,327 sea gypsies at Gaya island here.
The legislative assembly meeting which began on Nov 25 will have sittings until Dec 1.