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They used a “diplomatic Sunda Empire” passport when they first arrived in Kuching, Sarawak, in 2007. The passport was not recognized by Malaysia. Worse, they refused to be identified as Indonesian citizens (WNI) which confused Malaysian immigration authorities.
The two women who claimed to be Sunda Empire’s daughters were Fathia Reza, 36 and Lamira Roro, 34. The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur confirmed that the two had been detained at the Melaka Immigration Depot. (Read: 3 Sunda Empire Leaders Accused Of Spreading False Stories)
“They were arrested for violating Malaysian immigration regulations and for carrying a Sunda Empire passport, which was not recognized by Malaysian authorities,” said Agung Cahaya Sumirat, coordinator of information and social and cultural affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur and the consulate in Kuching, the state of Sarawak, have said they have sought the evidence of both women to clarify their citizenship status.
“But they refused to recognize themselves as Indonesian citizens and insisted on identifying themselves as Sundanese Empire citizens,” Agung said, as reported South China Morning Post, yesterday (6/28/2020).
“Our impression is that their belief in becoming a member of Sunda Empire is the most important (for them),” he said.
“Malaysian immigration says their status is not citizenship,” Agung added. Both speak in English and communicate well.
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