PETALING JAYA, Feb 13 — A single mother’s long wait to see her five children obtain official identity documents finally came to an end yesterday when all of them received valid identification papers.

Noorsyuhada Mohamad, 33, said her life had previously been weighed down by various challenges, including lack of transportation and limited awareness of the importance of registration, which resulted in her children, aged between four and 11, growing up without official documentation.

“Alhamdulillah, I feel extremely happy and at peace now, as if a heavy burden has been lifted.

“This is the best gift ahead of the coming month of Ramadan,” said Noorsyuhada after five of her seven children finally received their birth certificates and MyKid cards from the National Registration Department (NRD).

She added that with the valid documents in hand, her main priority is to ensure all her children are enrolled in school as soon as possible to change the future of her family.

More meaningfully, the documents of Mohamat Nor Shuhairil Mohd Zahari, 11; and his siblings, Noor Hairiza, 10, Noor Syuhaila, 8; Mohamat Nor Zuhairi, 7; and four-year-old Noor Faszila were personally handed over by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail at their residence at Rima Riang Apartments here yesterday.

Saifuddin Nasution said the handover of official identity documents was not merely symbolic, but marked a new beginning in restoring the dignity and future of the five Malaysian children.

“Today, we are witnessing their rights being restored. These identity documents are the key for them to access education, healthcare and employment opportunities when they grow up,” he said.

Noorsyuhada’s plight drew public attention after a video highlighting the family’s hardship went viral on social media through the ‘Jejak Jalanan’ initiative by social activist Abbe Hae on January 24, prompting Selangor NRD to immediately step in to begin document verification and hospital confirmation processe.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution shared concerning statistics, revealing that an average of 1,000 late birth registration cases are recorded nationwide each month.

He urged the public to be more aware of the need to register important life events, such as births within the stipulated period to avoid long-term implications on individuals’ rights as Malaysian citizens. — Bernama