He fought first for a MyKad, then for his people

Paulus Balan endured a six-year battle to secure a MyKad, only to later discover that his Sa’ban community was not officially recognized as Bumiputera. Born in the remote village of Long Banga in Sarawak, Paulus faced immense challenges obtaining identification documents due to the lengthy and arduous journey required to reach a registration office.

Despite the hardships, Paulus remained passionate about education and dreams of becoming a teacher. His path to becoming a teacher was fraught with obstacles, as he needed a MyKad and birth certificate to enroll in school and later in the Sarawak Teachers’ Training College. After finally obtaining his MyKad at the age of 24, Paulus continued to face challenges as the Sa’ban community was misclassified as non-Bumiputera.

Determined to rectify the situation, Paulus and other Sa’ban members formed a committee to present their community’s identity and history to the authorities, leading to their official recognition as one of 12 indigenous communities in Sarawak in 2022. Despite this milestone, Paulus remains committed to helping his community secure proper documentation and preserve their cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of ensuring every community in Malaysia is recognized and valued.