NRD reopening draws crowd at UTC Sibu

SIBU: The National Registration Department (NRD) office at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here was thronged by a large crowd with its resumption of operations yesterday.

Long queues were seen formed at the staircases of Sibu Central Market building where the UTC is located as people waited for their turn to be allowed to enter by the staff on duty.

Crowds are also seen queuing up at the ground floor of the building with security guards manning the queues.

A staff at the centre said that people started queuing up from about 7am for services offered by the various government departments and agencies at the centre.

“Priority is given to the disabled, pregnant women and senior citizens. They will be allowed to enter the centre without going through the hassle of joining the long queues.

“Majority of those in the long queues came for NRD services,” she said.

She added that they observed the standard operating procedures (SOP) and made sure visitors wore their face masks, sanitised their hands, and had their body temperature checked before entering the UTC while always maintaining social distancing.

Meanwhile, a NRD staff said that the number of people seeking services at their counters was as usual prior to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

“They came to renew or change their MyKad, alter information on their marriage certificate but majority came to register births and deaths as these two services were affected during MCO,” he said.

One of the visitors, Rabiah Maharip, 38, who went with her daughter to change her MyKad, said that they had been waiting since 6am.

“I did not expect long queues at the centre today. But we have to wait because we need to settle her application which had been delayed since March due to MCO,” she said.

Another visitor who waited since 6am was Ramles Geraman, 21.

He came to alter the information on his marriage certificate.

“I have been waiting for five hours since this morning. I expect I will have to wait a few more hours with the large crowd queuing up to enter the NRD office,” he said.

Visitors queuing up on the first floor of Sibu Central Market building.

People waiting for their ticket number inside the NRD office.

A UTC staff checks the body temperature of a visitor.

People queuing up outside the NRD office in UTC Sibu.

A NRD staffer attends to a senior citizen at the reception counter.