Stateless since she was born, Mona Julius is now a Malaysian citizen

MIRI, Aug 24 2026: After being a stateless person since her birth, Mona Julius, 25,  has finally become a Malaysian citizen with status "K", thus bringing  a huge relief to her family's life.

Caption: Piasau State Legislative Member Sebastian Ting (left) presenting a Malaysian citizen certificate to Jonathan Ngo who is representing his wife Mona Julius 

It also means that her two children will follow her to be accorded the Malaysian citizenship.

Upon her birth, Mona’s parents from Kapit did not register her name with the National Registration Department (NRD), thus classifying her as a stateless person.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts and Piasau State Assemblyman (ADUN) Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said Mona's application was previously submitted after her husband, Jonathan Ngo, as she did not have birth certificate and identity card.

The reason being that her parents did not report her birth to the NRD.

“With the help of my colleague,  we helped to submit the application until she finally succeeded in obtaining Malaysian citizenship with status 'K'," he said when met by the media at the SUPP Piasau Service Centre today.

Sebastian said the success was very meaningful because having a valid identity document not only facilitated Mona's official affairs, but also had a positive impact on her entire family.

Jonathan expressed his appreciation to Sebastian for the assistance provided throughout the citizenship application process.

He said that after his wife obtained an identity card, various family matters have now become smoother and easier, including children's education and travel abroad.

A  Special Task Force (PPK) operation, which was reactivated in July 2023 through strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Sarawak government, under the Ministry of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development, play a role in helping to resolve issues related to documentation and citizenship.

Mona's case is an example of how resolving documentation issues can have a major impact on a family's life, including opening up opportunities for the next generation to enjoy the benefits and rights of being Malaysians.