Red tape hinders 15,000 Indians from obtaining citizenship

KUALA LUMPUR: Unnecessary bureaucracy has hindered over 15,000 Indians born before Independence from obtaining citizenship.
Stating this, MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the party will push for this problem to be resolved by year end.
"The Prime Minister, on Saturday, has given assurance to resolve this problem as soon as possible. We will push for this to be settled by year end. There must be a special policy for this," he told reporters after closing the education pilgrimage at Batu Caves today.
Dr Subramaniam said they have embarked on a campaign to register those with red identity card to obtain citizenship so as to exercise their rights.
"The biggest challenge is the current bureaucracy. The officers will ask for documentations and details of the place of birth. But these are people who were born before Independence and some of the estates they were born in do not exist anymore," he said.
He added there has been many cases where the applications were rejected repeatedly because of the lack of documentation and details.
"We are only asking for a minimal level of bureaucracy not zero bureaucracy as we do not want people to abuse the system. With minimal bureaucracy these applicants will get their citizenship," he said.
Dr Subramaniam, who is also Health Minister, said that the ministry, with the help of the Education Ministry, will begin screening students who have not receive their vaccination shots in schools starting next month.
He said the government has initiated an awareness programme among parents on the importance of the immunisation programme.
Meanwhile, Dr Subramaniam said the party is working with education NGO Sri Murugan Centre to ensure students from poor families are able to get academic assistance.