KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — The National Registration Department (NRD) has moved to quell social media speculation after a viral video showing alleged Rohingya at its premises was linked to unfounded claims regarding the issuance of MyKad to non-citizens.

In a statement issued today, NRD clarified that the mere presence of an individual at its offices is not evidence that they are applying for, or will be granted, a MyKad.

The department explained that it provides a wide array of registration and documentation services, several of which routinely involve non-citizens depending on the specific nature of the transaction.

This is not the first time the department has had to correct the public record. In June, NRD addressed a similar issue where a viral clip caused widespread confusion between the registration of a non-citizen’s birth and the granting of Malaysian citizenship.

‘Pink’ birth certificate explained

To prevent further misunderstanding, NRD reiterated that a pink birth certificate serves only as proof that a birth occurred and was registered within Malaysia. It is not, and does not constitute, proof of citizenship.

The certificate is issued to all individuals born in the country, including those who do not meet the legal requirements for Malaysian citizenship. This is because Malaysian law mandates that every birth be officially recorded regardless of the parents’ nationality.

NRD stressed that this administrative process exists solely for record-keeping and does not confer citizenship on the child.

The department further noted that other legitimate transactions handled at its counters frequently involve non-citizens, such as civil marriages where one spouse is a foreign national. None of these services equate to a MyKad application.

NRD also urged the public to avoid jumping to conclusions based on isolated photographs or video clips without understanding the context of the matter being handled.

“Let us together understand an issue based on facts, context and accurate explanations, rather than merely based on perceptions from a photograph or an unclear video recording,” the department stated, concluding with the tagline: “Facts, not perception.”