Saifuddin Nasution says NRD is following procedure after a court citizenship order, as the teen’s original birth certificate was obtained illegally.
ALOR SETAR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has labelled claims that the National Registration Department (NRD) is delaying a MyKad issuance as misleading.
He said a group of lawyers created a false impression that the NRD was deliberately not complying with a court order for a 17-year-old male student.
Saifuddin explained the case emerged when the teenager’s parents applied for his MyKad.
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Investigations found the birth certificate was obtained illegally through a blacklisted private hospital involved in a syndicate.
“Based on physical appearance, it was clear that the child did not resemble the parents at all,” he said after presenting Early School Assistance here.
The parents admitted the certificate was procured illegally when the child was a baby, a fact the lawyers did not mention.
Saifuddin stated the NRD has no issue complying with the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s December 8 ruling on the teen’s citizenship eligibility.
The process must start with issuing a valid birth certificate via late registration, as the original is void.
“Claims that the NRD is complicating the procedure or requiring the support of elected representatives are untrue,” he clarified.
Lawyers had previously criticised the NRD for allegedly refusing to follow the court’s 30-day order to issue a blue MyKad.
The minister also noted outstanding citizenship cases have dropped from 50,000 to under 4,000 in three years. – Bernama
