Longhouse folk finally receive their birth certificates
MIRI: After decades and countless failed attempts to acquire legal identification documents, Freda Bawek was one happy woman after she was presented with her Malaysian birth certificate.
The 53-year- old was among 11 people who received their birth certificates recently, thanks to efforts by Penan Empowerment Network ( PEN) and the National Registration Department’s (JPN) mobile unit special taskforce.
“My last attempt in applying for a birth certificate was 10 years ago and I am thankful that I finally managed to get one,” she said.
Following the presentation of the birth certificates, the recipients, who hail from Rumah Paberi Magelit in Menok, Rumah Agnes in Lapok, Rumah Galau Upau in Bukit Lima and Rumah Ramba in Liam, will soon be issued with their MyKad.
According to PEN chairwoman Elia Bit, the four longhouses are the first batch helped by PEN to submit applications for MyKad and birth certificates following a visit by the special taskforce in July this year.
“We have been working to reach out to residents in longhouses to identify those without
My last attempt in applying for a birth certificate was 10 years ago and I am thankful that I finally managed to get one. Freda Bawek
identification documents.
“PEN and the residents are grateful to the special taskforce for visiting the longhouses, as it had greatly helped in easing the financial burden faced by applicants who did not have to travel to Miri or Kuching,” she said.
During each visit, the special taskforce officers also helped applicants fill forms and other related documents, thus making the overall procedure easier.