MALAYSIANS KINI The piece of card with our most basic details as a citizen may be something many Malaysians take for granted.

But for those living in the rural areas - particularly in Sabah and Sarawak - the simple process of applying for a Malaysian identification card or MyKad could pose a real challenge.

This realisation has inspired Mujan Jok, an Orang Ulu activist from the Kayan tribe, to sacrifice her time to assist her fellow Orang Ulus living around Baram, Sarawak, in securing their identity as a Malaysian.

Together with the Baram Kini association, since 2012, the full-time housewife and mother-of-three have personally helped hundreds of Orang Ulus to make the journey from their villages all the way to Miri, the nearest big town.

For many of the villagers, the journey would involve added costs that most could ill afford, especially for the ones who earn a daily income or wage.

Not only do they have to pass through almost non-existent proper roads towards town, more than that is having the mental strength to overcome unfamiliar and often times, unclear bureaucratic processes.

All this just to submit their application for a document to be officially recognised as a Malaysian citizen

Here is Mujan’s story in her own words:

I CAN ONLY HELP TO OFFER THEM MY HOUSE. Financially I can't support them because I also have my own family.

What I do is I contribute my energy to bring them to the Immigration Department and commissioner for oaths.

I also accompany them to meet the village heads when it is required.