At the sight of the approval letter, sadness turned into exuberance for 17-year-old Belle Chok

Belle pours her heart into her paintings. Photo: Angie Lim (2021)


By Shaun Ng


BELLE CHOK lived as a stateless child for 17 years until that status changed recently when she received positive news from the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN). 



        Although the ministry staff had worked very hard to process her application for citizenship and hardly realised how important that piece of paper was to her, to the 17-year-old girl, the citizenship paper brought hope and great joy.


        Chok, who suffers from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) requires medical treatment and expensive medicine, can now expect to receive free treatment from the Selayang hospital. 


        Before this, her father had to pay her high medical expenses, putting a strain on his finances.


        Her father works as a plumbing and electrical contractor, earning enough just to survive.


        Chok had to do oil painting to raise funds for her own medical bills while studying for her SPM. 


        After many rounds of rejection, she has finally received an approval for citizenship recently.


        “Thank You to YB Dato Seri Saifuddin (Nasution Ismail, Minister of Home Affairs), YB Hannah Yeoh (MP of Segambut) and YB Lim Lip Eng (former MP of Segambut), because I am now recognised as a full-fledged Malaysian,” she expressed her gratitude in a short letter. “You guys are my hero!” 


        Chok and many other stateless people have received their citizenships this year through the hard work of Saifuddin Nasution, his political secretaries, Yahaya Shaari (current) and Johari Kassim (former), and the dedicated team at both KDN and the Department of National Registration (JPN). This is made possible after the Madani government came into existence.


        Chok also took the opportunity to thank her Aunty, Angie Lim and a family friend who did everything they could to fight for her rights and raising her through her toughest moments.


        Chok is looking forward to traveling to places that have always fascinated her. “This is only possible because I am able to apply for a passport now,” she quipped. 


        “Before that, I need to pursue my education and hopefully enter into a programme of my choice.” 


        Despite suffering from SLE from a young age, Chok has learnt to be grateful for each and every day. 


        “My family has been very supportive towards me,” she remarked. “Moreover, with the awesome support and guidance from the doctors at the pediatric unit, at Selayang hospital, especially Dr Tang and his team of experts, I believe this is just the beginning of many good years ahead.”


The Star: Teen paints masterpieces to raise funds for medical treatment

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