Over 80 turn up to apply for national registration documents

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Ting (centre) with Jasni (third right) and others at the registration centre.

MIRI: More than 80 applicants for birth certificate and MyKad turned up at the Petronas Sports Village here yesterday where the second national registration exercise was open to those who are stateless.

Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting said application for MyKad used to be a very difficult and taxing process but this time it could be processed faster.

“While most of them do not have complete documents, the verification of their background is made through interview with applicants’ parents (for young children), and siblings. Thereafter, a decision will be made following the interview and recommendation,” Ting told reporters yesterday.

Interviewing the parents, according to Ting, is essential to determine the parents’ status.

“This is because if the father is Malaysian and the mother is a foreigner, the process would be slightly easier than the other way round. It is crucial to identify the parents’ status so that it would be easier for any future decision,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Ting has handed over about 128 documents of applicants to National Registration Department (JPN) to have the applications processed as soon as possible. The second mass registration was made possible by SUPP Piasau branch in collaboration with JPN, following the huge response received from the first exercise.

The aim, he stressed, is to meet the deadline for the registration of stateless children in Sarawak as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“More importantly, it is crucial for a child to be registered as citizen and obtain necessary documents as it is important for them when enrolling in school. It is vital so that their future is not compromised,” said Ting.

Also met at the registration station were JPN state director Jasni Jubli and local community leaders.