‘PERSONAL PROBLEMS CAUSE OF UNREGISTERED BIRTHS’
Failure to register will result in setbacks for kids in future, says NRD D-G
PERSONAL problems have been identified as the main contributor to the many cases of unregistered births in the country. National Registration Department (NRD) director-general Datuk Mohd Yazid Ramli said unregistered marriages, divorces, marriage between different nationalities and illegitimate children were among issues faced by those who did not have birth certificates. “The failure to register births will result in setbacks in the future.
“Whatever the problem is, we urge individuals to come to any NRD office and our officers will try their best to help with registration.”
He said the lack of awareness on the importance of registering for birth certificates had led to documentation issues that would affect the life of the children in the future.
“It will be difficult for such children to register for school as they do not possess birth certificates and identification cards.
“They won’t be able to benefit from services provided by the government as they can’t provide the relevant documents,” he said after launching NRD’s Walkabaout Programme in Kampung India Bukit Pelanduk here yesterday.
The programme is being held nationwide to resolve issues related to identification cards and birth certificates. It provides registration services of identification documents, as well as submission of completed documents to applicants.
On the fire involving Yayasan Sofa Astana tahfiz school in Raja Chengkau Rembau recently that saw 37 female students escaping unhurt, Yazid said NRD would speed up the process to replace the students’ damaged or destroyed identification cards.
“The incident is considered a natural disaster and we will send our officers to help the students get their new identification cards.”
He said NRD would work with the police and the Welfare Department to issue special identity cards for stateless children under the care of welfare homes.
This follows an announcement by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, who said special IDs would resolve documentation issues faced by stateless children under its care, especially after they leave the homes at 18.
“We will get full reports from the police and Welfare Department before the identification cards are issued.”