Crawling through life: Rose's struggle for citizenship and dignity

Borneo Post

05-07-2025

The author with Rose during a visit to hand over to her some clothing donated by Miri City Caring Society.
LIFE has not been easy for Rose Sulau Tugau.
The 65-year-old resident of Kampung Pasir in Lutong, Miri is unable to walk due to severe back pains.
The only way she can move around the house is by crawling.
It is said that complications from the metal screws inserted in her spine in three surgeries previously, have left her unable to walk.
As if that is not enough, the RM200 monthly aid from the Welfare Department has stopped since March this year.
At first, she was told to be patient, but after several more visits in subsequent months, an officer finally broke the heart-breaking news – the assistance had been terminated.
'This is because you are a red IC (identification card)-holder with permanent-resident status – you're no longer eligible for aid now,' she was told.
Frustration
Rose, a Kenyah from rural Baram, can only shake her head in disbelief.
She is frustrated that despite the many trips to the National Registration Department (NRD), she has not managed to change her red MyPR to the blue IC.
'I was originally from Long Selatong in Ulu Baram, studied at St Pius Primary School in Long San, and later followed my older – and only – brother to Belaga, while my two younger sisters stayed behind.
'Others in the class were all issued with red IC, but managed to change it to blue (Malaysian citizenship IC); unfortunately, I did not,' she told thesundaypost .
In her sunset years, Rose wants to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
'My only brother had passed away; one sister is also an OKU (individual with disability) like me; my youngest sister is still in the village. They all had the blue IC.'
Ulu Selatong in the interior of Baram, about a six-hour journey by road and boat from Miri, but it may take longer depending on the road conditions, or circumstances such as collapsed bridges or landslides.
Rose said her old blue IC changed to red MyPR when she renewed it at the NRD in Kuala Lumpur, accompanied by her adopted son who lived and worked there in 2012.
Starting June 1, 2006, the MyPR was issued and came in red colour, with the words 'Permanent Resident' shown on the card.
In 2017, members of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) helped Rose check her status, bringing her to see NRD officers at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Miri on March 17 that year.
Back then, Councillor Aries Leong, Councillor Lee Thin Hin and Councillor Joanna Ping had said that her case would be referred to the Home Ministry as the record indicated that her status as only a Permanent Resident Card (MyPR) holder, and not a citizen.
The NRD's records also indicated that Rose did not have her parents' documents when she first applied for the identity card on June 7, 1973; thus, she was told to submit a fresh citizenship application to comply with the requirements.
There has been no news for her since.
Appeal for help
Rose's husband Ajang Janae died in 2016, at age 59, because of brain cancer.
Prior to that, she was hospitalised for three months after having undergone a back surgery in October 2013, which left her wheelchair-bound.
That was when her husband had lovingly cared for her, until a relapse of cancer left him paralysed in 2015.
Throughout that time of sickness, Rose had become the sole caregiver of her bedridden husband at their squatter house.
'My wish now is that the government can help me change my red IC to a blue IC, and to provide me with monthly assistance.
'I am already 65 this year, living alone and with painful knees.
'I have to survive on meagre income, coming from selling some yams that I grow in my little garden.
'Due to my disability, I have to enlist the help of my neighbours to help me buy groceries and some essential items.'
Rose tends to her garden.
Nevertheless, Rose does not let hardship get in her way of doing her chores like cooking and cleaning, as well as tending to her garden.
The Methodist Church donates rice to her every month.
Moreover, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting has allocated funds for repair works on her dilapidated house, including building a concrete pathway for easier wheelchair access.
In her sunset years, Rose looks forward to seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
Talking about her adopted son – the one who accompanied her to the NRD in Kuala Lumpur – she said he is now a driver, providing for his four school-going children.
'He has his own burden to bear,' she said.
'He had burnt a hole in his pocket, flying his entire family home to see me in 2023 before returning for work in Pahang.
'I had to decline his offer to come live with him in Kuantan – it's just not suitable for my condition.
'I prefer to face my challenges here in Sarawak.
'My only hope is that my financial burden would be lessened,' she added. crawling miri OKU Rose Sulau Tugau