IPOH, Nov 27 — The 12-year-old girl who attempted suicide by drinking bleaching liquid because she could not get her MyKad was overjoyed after finally receiving it yesterday.
The girl, from Taman Harmoni, Buntong, made the news after her mother sought help from DAP assemblyman A. Sivasubramaniam, claiming that the National Registration Department (NRD) had rejected her daughter’s MyKad application due to their differing skin complexions.
Both mother and daughter held back tears of joy as they expressed thanks and appreciation to the media and Sivasubramaniam for highlighting their plight.
“We are thrilled to share the family’s joy, but we must also remember there are many Malaysians out there who are still without MyKad,” said Sivasubramaniam, urging these people to come forward and seek help.
State NRD director Mohd Zahari Hassan, who presented the MyKad to the family, clarified that the NRD never rejected the girl’s MyKad application and rubbished claims of prejudice.
“The MyKad was ready by October 2 after her application was submitted on September 31,” he said, adding that the family might have been influenced by a “third party”.
“We informed the family to pick up the MyKad but they never came and before we knew it, they had held a press conference.”
The recent issue surrounding MyKad also prompted the department to be more vigilant in processing applications.
Meanwhile, MIC Youth’s C. Sivarraajh felt the issue was blown out of proportion for political mileage.
“It is normal procedure for the NRD to enquire into the background of the applicants for verification purposes. The matter could have been easily resolved without taking it to the press, which led to unnecessary attention on the girl,” he said.
