Different birth certificates for M’sians and non-citizens from July 1

(Bernama) – KOTA KINABALU: Effective July 1, the Home Ministry will introduce different birth certificates for Malaysian citizens and non-citizens.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Friday that this was one of 22 suggestions and initiatives from the Special Laboratory on Sabah Foreign Citizens, which were tabled at the fifth Cabinet Committee of Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants (JKKPA-PATI) meeting Thursday.

The initiative carried out through the National Registration Department (NRD) would involve differences in format including the certificate’s colour, he said in a statement here Friday.

“For a start, the NRD will issue red birth certificates for children who are non-citizens. Currently, all birth certificates issued by the department are green, regardless of their citizenship status.

“However, the children’s citizenship is based on their parents’ citizenship status during their birth,” he added.

Hishammuddin said the purpose of having different colours for birth certificates for citizens and non-citizens was to prevent parents (foreigners) from thinking their children were automatic citizens with the Malaysian birth certificate.

“It is also an early reminder to parents of their child’s status and to avoid confusion, as well as to facilitate agencies in identifying the citizenship status of those they are dealing with,” he said.

Meanwhile, children who are non-citizens but have a green certificate may retain the document until after the applicant makes an Extract of the Birth Certificate at any NRD office.

“Children who were born non-citizens but obtain citizenship subsequently, in a process under the Federal Constitution, will have their birth certificates exchanged with a green one with an indication on the change in status,” he added.

Hishammuddin explained that although this proposal was brought up by the Sabah Special Laboratory, the initiative would be implemented nationwide.

Therefore, he said the suggestions and initiatives from the Sabah Special Laboratory, which was held in the state from May 4 to 27 last year, were an addition to 48 other initiatives proposed by the national-level Foreign Citizens Management Laboratory.

He said implementation of that laboratory made up of 27 officers from various federal and state agencies in Sabah demonstrated the federal government’s efforts in tackling issues involving foreigners and illegal immigrants which have long plagued Sabah.

“The laboratory report was tabled in the Sabah Cabinet on July 7, last year, to which they have acknowledged the suggestions made.

“The JKKPA-PATI meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, also agreed to a majority of proposals raised,” added Hishammuddin. – Bernama