Decision on race classification in government form done, says Entulu

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Datuk Joseph Entulu

Datuk Joseph Entulu

SIBU: The government has decided on the classification of race in its official forms, says Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun.

“The classification of race in government official forms will be as such — (i) Malay, (ii) Chinese, (iii) Indian, (iv) Dayak, and (v) Race (Kaum): (Please state).

“In this regard, all ministries, departments and government agencies are to use the new forms administratively according to the suitability and needs of agencies, in line with the government’s decision,” Entulu told a press conference here on Monday.

The Selangau MP said the amendments to the government forms, including those on laws and regulations, would be implemented after the government made a final decision by taking into consideration of Sabah government’s stand on the classification of race.

He said the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in March this year had settled Sarawak’s case — the first to be addressed as it was less complicated compared with that of Sabah.

On the ‘Kaum’ column, he explained this was just in case there were those who did not wish to be categorised under any of the specified categories.

“This was the decision by Bumiputera Minority Technical Committee and endorsed by the federal cabinet.”

Last October, the word ‘Dayak’ was approved by the federal cabinet to denote the race of non-Malay Bumiputeras in government official forms.