Why do 12,000 Malaysian students lack identification documents?

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Approximately 12,000 Malaysian students lack identification documents primarily due to irregularities in their parents' marital status, such as unregistered marriages.

Around 12,000 students currently enrolled in primary and secondary schools across Malaysia are without essential identification documents. This issue stems largely from complexities surrounding their parents' marriages, including instances of unregistered unions, which subsequently affect the timely registration of births. The Malaysian government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), is actively working to address this situation by identifying affected students and streamlining the process for obtaining necessary documentation.
Unregistered Marriages Impacting Birth Registration

A significant contributing factor to the lack of identification documents among these students is the prevalence of unregistered marriages among their parents. When marriages are not officially registered, it often leads to complications in registering the births of children born within these unions. This can result in children attending school without birth certificates or other identification, creating hurdles for their educational progression and potentially leading to higher costs for essential services like hospitalisation.
Delays in Birth Registration Procedures

The timely registration of births is a critical step in securing identification documents for children. In Peninsular Malaysia, birth registrations are expected to be completed within 60 days, while in Sabah and Sarawak, the timeframe is 42 days. Failure to adhere to these deadlines can result in late registrations, which may complicate the process of obtaining identification. This is particularly relevant in remote areas, where accessibility to registration facilities can be a challenge, as highlighted by the National Registration Department's (JPN) initiatives to reach such communities.
Challenges in Identification Document Approval

Beyond issues with marriage and birth registration, specific administrative categories can also cause delays in the approval of identification documents. One recipient, Ajari Ghadari, noted that his application for an identification card was delayed for over three years due to complications related to the 'ethnicity' category. Such administrative complexities, coupled with the primary issues of unregistered marriages and late birth registrations, contribute to the overall problem faced by these students.

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Why do 12,000 Malaysian students lack identification documents?

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