In a bind over adoption papers

Boy’s birth cert suspended after parents inform NRD he was adopted

KLANG: Chim Puck Leong, 47, and Lim Li Li, 50, never expected their son’s birth certificate would be suspended when they told National Registration Department (NRD) officers that the boy was adopted.

They were summoned to the NRD five years ago when the clinic, where their son Jun Hao was born, was investigated for forgery of adoption documents.

The boy’s birth certificate listed Chim and Lim as his biological parents, based on documents provided by the clinic.

“I did not know it was wrong. That is why I did not have any qualms telling the NRD officers that I had adopted my son from a couple I no longer have contact with,” said Chim.

Jun Hao’s biological mother had given birth to him at the clinic, which then provided Chim with the documents to apply for the birth certificate.

The couple are now concerned that Jun Hao, 11, will have problems sitting for the UPSR next year if he is not recognised as a citizen.

“We are also worried that he won’t be able to apply for his MyKad next year,” the mechanic told reporters at the Pandamaran Jaya MCA service centre.

Jun Hao is studying at a private Chinese school in Klang.

The press conference was organised by Klang MCA public complaints and services deputy chief Datuk Tan Bok Koon.

Eighteen-year-old chef Ang Zhong-Xin is in a similar predicament after the NRD suspended his birth certificate when he applied for his MyKad six years ago.

His father, Alfred Ang, said he adopted Zhong-Xin from a friend’s friend through a court process.

“In the birth certificate, I was named the father but the mother’s name was stated as unknown.

“So the NRD suspended his birth certificate even though there is a court order approving the adoption,” said Ang.

He said it has been a difficult journey for his son who could not attend government school or sit for any examinations because he did not have a MyKad.

He pulled Zhong-Xin out of school in Form Three and sent him to a culinary college to train as a chef.

“He now needs a MyKad to register a company under his name and open a bank account for business,’’ Ang said.

Both Ang and Chim turned to Tan for help when all their avenues became dead ends.

“I got them letters of support from MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, addressed to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” Tan said.

According to him, Dr Wee has asked for the applications of citizenship by Jun Hao and Zhong-Xin to be considered.

Tan advised parents who are adopting to go through the proper channels to avoid similar or other problems.