While the debate/ argument/ bickering rages on over the statement made by Singapore’s former Premier Lee Kuan Yew regarding the marginalisation of the Malaysian Chinese, I was shocked to discover the plight of the Chinese in Brunei.
According to my Brunei distributor, the Chinese in Brunei faces by far, a worse situation.
Did you know that …
1) A Chinese in Brunei can only claim PR status but not citizenship, even if he/she is a second or third or forth (and so on) generation Chinese born and bred there!
2) A Chinese in Brunei have to pass an exam conducted in Malay to claim citizenship. And passing the exam is subject to a minimum yearly quota.
3) A Chinese in Brunei (who is not a citizen) carries a PR passport and have to apply for visa for whichever country they visit even West Malaysia (except for Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore).
4) A Chinese in Brunei (who is not a citizen) do not have the right to own land in the country.
Now, that would have been bad enough but it seems that there are people in Brunei who are even worse off!
Did you know that …
1) There are groups of Chinese and ethnic minorities (i.e. Iban, etc) in Brunei who are considered “stateless” people. This came about due to their parents’ (who happened to be East Malaysians who went across the border to work) ignorance! These Malaysian parents were ignorant over the fact that if their children were born in Brunei and if the parents did not register the birth with the Malaysian nor the Brunei government, then these children will be considered “stateless” as Brunei would not grant them citizenship nor PR even though they were born and bred there.
2) These “stateless” people are not given a passport. They live in the country on work permits which in turn allow them very limited travel i.e. within Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak.
I extracted the below from the US State Government website.
Brunei
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
March 8, 2006
National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities
There were a sizeable number of "stateless" persons and permanent residents, mostly ethnic Chinese, including persons born and raised in the country, who were not automatically accorded citizenship and its attendant rights. They had to travel abroad as stateless persons and did not enjoy the full privileges of citizenship, including the right to own land. Stateless persons and permanent residents also were not entitled to subsidized medical care. In 2003 a reform to the nationality law allowed some older, stateless persons and some permanent residents over age 50 to acquire citizenship by passing an oral rather than a written nationality test. All stateless persons and permanent residents became entitled to free education at government schools and other vocational and technical institutions. During the year 680 persons were granted citizenship, including more than 150 children.
How about that?! It is no wonder the Chinese is a shrinking population in Brunei. Year on year the migration level is high among the Chinese population. Currently, Chinese form approximately 15% of the country’s population.
So the next time you think you have been marginalised, consider the plight of the Chinese in Brunei!
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6 comments:
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It is nice to know someone from far away know about our problem in Brunei.
You still don't know in order to own a restaurant to serve halal food which the restaurant should be own by the chinese, but We are forced to use muslim malay name to register for business. They are consider as sleeping partner but do get money money.
We chinese can never own a restaurant to serve halal food even your restaurant is free of pork!
Racist! Satanic articles!
Even Lee Kwan Yew have discriminated Malay and Indians with offensive remarks. Remember how he did to Malays during his PM reign! He is not a benevolent dictator!
LAST TIME I WENT VISIT MY FRIEND THERE AND WE DISCUSS ABOUT THIS THING. HE CHINESE BRUNEI BORN BUT HE IS STATELESS AND JUST GRANTING PERMANENT RESIDENT AND CAN ONLY USE ICC WHEN ACCROSS BOARDER TO MALAYSIA. I WAS SO WONDER BUT HE EXPLAIN THAT COSZ HIS GRAND PARENT IMMIGRANT FROM MALAYSIA, NOT ORIGINAL BRUNEI BLOOD. BUT AFTER READ THIS SO I UNDERSTAND NOW HOW BRUNEI PRACTISE THIER CITIZEN LAW...ANYWAY THERE A LOT OF MY CLIENT WHO ARE RICH AND WELL KNOW IN THE INDUSTRY BUT HOLDING ONLY PR STATUS....JUZ FOR MY THINKING, IF I WERE IN THIS SITUATION, I RATHER MOVE TO SOMEWHERE WHERE CAN GRANT ME NATIONALITY
Malay in Brunei and Malaysia are like parasites.. Just be Ali Baba for companty and play 4D which they are very proud of..
4D = Duduk Diam Dapat Duit
so wat go live somewhere else la , maybe return to china
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