Padang tanjung: The National Registration Department (NRD) has recorded 60,698 births involving individuals classified under Myanmar-related categories, including holders of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, NRD director-general Badrul Hisham stated that the figures, covering the period from 2000 to June 19 this year, are based on three categories maintained by the department, including Myanmar-related classifications and UNHCR cardholders. He highlighted that within the UNHCR cardholder category, not all individuals are Rohingya, although the majority are from this ethnic group.

Badrul Hisham emphasized that being born in Malaysia does not automatically grant a child citizenship, as it depends on the status and circumstances of the parents according to legal provisions. Additionally, he acknowledged that some births involving foreign nationals in Malaysia remain unregistered due to factors such as parents' fears of legal repercussions for overstaying or lacking valid travel documents.

He further noted that the reluctance to register births is not limited to foreigners. Some Malaysians also hesitate to register their children's births due to reasons like unregistered marriages and family issues, leading to cases of late registration.

To address these challenges, the NRD conducts outreach through the Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (MEKAR) programme to ensure that all eligible Malaysians have proper birth and identity documents. The NRD's Santuni MADANI programme, held today, aimed to strengthen ties with over 800 residents of Kampung Padang Tanjung by organizing various community activities, such as the MADANI Rahmah Sale, sports events, and services related to birth certificates and identity cards.

Badrul Hisham highlighted the cooperation from various parties, including other government agencies, in ensuring the successful implementation of the MADANI Government's agenda.