JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy are coordinating regarding Malaysia's plan to grant citizenship status to Rohana Abdullah, a woman of Indonesian descent who was left in Malaysia since the age of two months.
Quoting The Star January 17, Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Hamzah Zainudin said several supporting documents were needed to resolve the issue of Rohana who was left behind by her mother and returned to Indonesia as a baby.
"I understand that Mr. Rohana is a citizen. Therefore, if there is a document to prove this, it will be easier for us to provide it (identity document). This is a responsibility given to me and will be carried out as soon as possible," he explained.
"I also see this issue (identity documents) as one of the ministry's agenda this year, to reduce the number of those who face such problems," he continued.
In response to this, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur stated that it is in communication with the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia to help with this issue.
"Regarding Rohana, the Indonesian Embassy is communicating with the Ministry of Home Affairs Malaysia, with the good will from the Malaysian side. And waiting for the documents needed in the process of resolving Rohana's case," explained the Coordinator of the Social and Cultural Affairs Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur Yoshi Iskandar when confirmed by VOI Friday January 21.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had communicated and coordinated this, which was possible because Rohana was stateless.
"This has been coordinated. It is possible, because sister Rohana's citizenship status is still stateless. Indeed, there is a tracing process. On the other hand, the person concerned is also an adult and can make decisions independently," explained Foreign Ministry Spokesman Teuku Faizasyah to VOI.
The name Rohana Abdullah became a conversation after the Minister of Home Affairs of Malaysia, Hamzah Zainudin, uploaded the story of Rohana Abdullah and the woman who took care of him since he was young, in Harian Metro to his Facebook account.
"I feel touched when informed about this case last week and have directed my employees to investigate the validity of the notice given before making any decisions," he uploaded on Facebook January 16 last.
This upload received comments from the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Hermono.
"YB Datuk Seri, if it is true that Rohana's sister's mother is an Indonesian citizen, the Embassy will find a solution so that she has an identity (citizenship) for her future. Thank you Datuk Sri for your concern," wrote Ambassador Hermono.
Rohana's issue also caught the attention of Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who in a post on his Instagram account said he was ready to help Rohana get Malaysian citizenship.
"God willing.. for Rohana's future, I will help her get a citizenship level and an introduction card," wrote PM Ismail Sabri on Instagram.
PM Ismail appreciated and thanked Chee Hoi Lan, Rohana's foster mother who raised her with love and care, despite being of different religions and nationalities.
Rohana Abdullah (22), a descendant of an Indonesian citizen (WNI) was abandoned by his mother in Malaysia and then cared for by a Chinese citizen since the age of two months.
According to information, Rohana, who currently does not have citizenship, has applied for Malaysian citizenship in 2016 but has not been processed until now. Harian Metro, reported that 22 years ago, Rohana was abandoned by her mother who was forced to return to Indonesia in a kindergarten where her mother worked as a janitor.
Chee Hoi Lan (83) who was a teacher at the kindergarten at that time, was moved to take care of Rohana like his own child. Although not a Muslim, Chee sent Rohana to Fardu Ain (Kafa) Elementary Class, an Islamic elementary school in Malaysia, using his own money to get him to know Islam.
"I love him like my own child. Since childhood, I make sure he eats halal food and performs worship as a Muslim to this day," Chee said as quoted by Antara.
Chee admitted that he hoped that before he died he could see Rohana married, working and living a happy life. He has also submitted Rohana's citizenship to the Chairman of the Resident Representative Council of the Batu Zone, Gulam Muszaffar Ghulam Mustakim.
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