A lawyer-politician who has been dealing with those who do not possess either an identity card or a birth certificate says that he comes across an average of five new cases almost every week and this may be just the tip of the iceberg.

"It is safe to say that hundreds of such cases can be found in isolated estates and villages around peninsular Malaysia, not to mention the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak," said T Rajagopalu when met in Seremban on Saturday.

The Port Dickson state assemblyperson, who began tackling the issue in 1995, said he believes the problem persists due to widespread ignorance, procrastination and the tidak apa (couldn't-care-less) attitude prevalent among isolated communities.

"We have cases from all over the peninsular and the number is increasing as more people realise the importance of having a birth certificate and an IC."

Rajagopalu, who is also the MIC central working committee member, said the enormity of the situation struck him during his many visits to remote estates and villages in every state in West Malaysia over the years.

"I saw situations with huge social and legal implications. Children without birth certificates not attending school, those without identity cards unable to get proper jobs and marriages not being registered," he said.

Early this month, malaysiakini highlighted several cases of families living without these official documents. Although no official figures are available, those dealing with such cases believe the number to be high.

Young victims

Rajagopalu said that each Saturday, about 70 people converge at the MIC service centre in Rasah seeking help for various matters including late application for birth certificates and identity cards.

In most cases, he said, many of the youngsters had no idea where their parents or relatives were.

"A number of them were abandoned at a very young age while the parents of some never bothered to register their births, especially for children who were delivered at home," he added.

At the centre, a 24-year-old youth, who came along with his guardians, was close to tears in relating his story.

"I never knew my parents well. I don't know where or when I was born. When my parents died, I didn't know what to do. I decided to seek out a former neighbour in Rantau," he said.

The neighbour, M Suppamah, 44, said she was shocked when the youth turned up at her doorstep in Tampin and told her that he and his family were their neighbours in Rantau.

"I know this boy's age because he was born about a week after I delivered my son ... but I don't remember the exact date," said Suppamah, 44, who left the estate in Rantau and moved to Tampin some years back.

"After all these years, he has managed to find us and wants our help. We want to get him an IC so that he can get a proper job," she said firmly adding that she and her husband, who have eight children, have decided to unofficially adopt the youth.

Increasing number

"It is the children who suffer the consequences of not being registered as a citizen, making it very difficult to obtain an IC later, especially if their parents' citizenship cannot be ascertained," explained Rajagopalu.

In such cases, he said, the applicant would be given a red IC depicting his or her status as a permanent resident, instead of a blue one meant for citizens.

He also revealed there were an increasing number of cases involving newborns and youths contrary to popular belief that only the older generation had identity card problems. .

"To date, I have cleared more than 2,000 files involving late IC and birth certificate applications. It is a slow process and public awareness is very low, especially among the illiterate and poor," said Rajagopalu.

"Those seeking our help are required to bring along two applicants (usually parents or guardians if applying for a birth certificate), two witnesses (who can vouch for them) and the midwife (if the child was born at home)."

Acknowledging that such problems occurred anywhere, Rajagopalu, however, was of the opinion that existing laws and procedures governing the issuance of birth certificates and identity cards were adequate.

"It is the people who must change their attitude and give importance to securing birth and identity documents. They must realise their whole future depends on it."

He said cases involving late applications for ICs or birth certificates were also reported in the Tamil vernacular papers to raise awareness.

Speed needed

Reserving his comments on allegations that some local politicians were 'offering help for a fee' to resolve such cases, he advised people to approach elected representatives instead of those claiming to be able to 'settle everything'.

"There are outsiders, including politicians, who take money. This includes syndicates who prey on the ignorant and desperate among the poor."

Rajagopalu said that a more efficient processing of late IC or birth certificate applications could thwart the intentions of these syndicates and unscrupulous individuals.

"Straightforward applications should be handled speedily and so far, I've had no problems in the Seremban National Registration Department office," he said. "But there seems to be a delay at the NRD headquarters in Petaling Jaya."

He said it was important that the late applications be processed speedily as children's schooling, job opportunities and the legality of marriages were some of the matters at stake.

Rajagopalu said on its part, the MIC plans to launch a marriage registration drive in Negeri Sembilan soon.

Meanwhile, the National Registration Department (NRD) headquarters informed malaysiakini that it will be replying by Wednesday to a set of questions submitted two weeks ago on the issue of those living without birth certificates and identity cards.