By JT
PENAMPANG: The Mobile Court Program serves as a crucial platform for resolving long-standing documentation issues faced by residents, while also bringing services directly to the people.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, stated that factors contributing to this problem include late birth registrations, mixed marriages between locals and foreigners, and the absence of marriage registration documents.
“Delays in obtaining identity cards and various other factors are also among the causes of these ongoing documentation issues among residents,” he said while officiating the Mobile Court Program at Dewan Pagansakan, Kampung Inobong, here, on Friday.
Mandela noted that this issue not only affects the individuals involved but also risks becoming a lingering problem for their children and future generations if not addressed immediately.
He explained that the lack of valid documentation makes it difficult for many children to access proper education, pursue further studies, secure good employment, and benefit from the various forms of assistance and facilities provided by the government.
Therefore, he said, the Mobile Court Program is highly significant in helping to resolve these long-standing documentation issues and cases.
“This program serves as a vital platform to bring services directly to the people and ensures that every eligible case receives attention and is processed in accordance with established legal procedures,” he said.
He stated that community leaders and customary chiefs such as district chiefs, native chiefs, native chief representatives, village heads, and kapitans play a crucial role in resolving these documentation issues.
“They are the individuals closest to the community and possess knowledge regarding the backgrounds and family histories of local residents.
“Therefore, I hope community leaders and customary chiefs will continue to play an active role in conveying accurate, authentic, and complete information to the authorities.
“This cooperation is vital to ensure that every application is considered fairly, transparently, and in accordance with established procedures,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mandela stated that the negative narrative that the Mobile Court Program was established to allow foreigners or undocumented migrants to easily obtain identification documents or identity cards bypassing legitimate processes must be dispelled.
He noted that such perceptions are entirely untrue. Every submitted application undergoes a rigorous process of review, scrutiny, and verification by the relevant agencies.
“No approvals are granted arbitrarily without sufficient evidence, supporting documents, and verification.
“The program does not aim to relax requirements; rather, it seeks to help resolve genuine and eligible documentation cases in accordance with the country’s legal provisions.”
He also urged all parties not to be easily swayed by slander, rumors, or unverified information, but instead to support the efforts of the government, the courts, and relevant agencies in ensuring that citizens’ documentation issues are resolved in an orderly and transparent manner, in compliance with the law.
