When we think of the issue of not having identification documents, the community that comes to mind are refugees or asylum seekers who have lost their belongings due to war or some other devastation.
However, there are also other circumstances that can make it difficult for an individual to obtain their identification documents.
According to Harian Metro, a young man in Kota Bharu has been living like a refugee because he has not had any identification documents for the past 16 years.
Mohamad Haffiq Hariry Shah Md Herman Shah, 16, faced the problem after his parents divorced and failed to register his birth when he was a baby.
He previously lived with his mother and grandmother in Felda Bukit Kajang, Pahang and only managed to attend school until Standard 5.
Mohamad Haffiq said that his mother had previously tried to register a birth certificate and an identity card for him but failed because they lacked the required documents, specifically his parents’ marriage certificates.
“I understand that my mother and father got married in Thailand and did not register their marriage in this country.”
“Not long after I was born, they divorced and my mother took me back to her hometown in Pahang,” he said.
He said that he has only been living with his paternal grandmother for a few months in Kampung Padang Enggang, Kota Bharu, where he is working with his uncle as a mechanic.
He said he needs a MyKad because it is very important for all official matters and proof as a citizen.
Meanwhile, his grandmother, Zainab Husin, 62, said that she has tried several times to solve her grandson’s problem but to no avail.
“His mother has given us all the relevant documents but the most important one is the marriage certificate because they got married in Thailand and did not register here.”
“We have also been to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kubang Kerian where he was born to get his birth record but were informed that only the mother or father has the right to pick it up.”
We hope Mohamad Haffiq is able to resolve his problems as soon as possible. It sounds like a bureaucratic nighmare!
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