An 82-year-old grandmother's 40-year wait for a new identity card finally ended when Kedah National Registration Department (NRD) director Mohammad Pauzi Abdullah personally handed it to her today.

Bashah Abdulah, when met in her house in Kampung Pengkalan Bujang, Bedong, near Sungai Petani, said she was elated that her long wait was finally over.

"I am very happy as I have been waiting for a long time. I am very grateful to all who assisted me in resolving the matter. With the identity card, I can go anywhere without fear. I can even vote if I am still alive," she said at a thanksgiving feast today.

It was learnt that Bashah, who has two children, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, applied to change her old identity card in the 70's but due to technical problems the application process was delayed.

Mohammad Pauzi said after finding out about Bashah's predicament, the department carried an investigation and quickly resolved the matter.

"Her application was processed on Sunday and was directly sent to Putrajaya on the same day and we managed to deliver the MyKad as a new year present to Bashah.

"We are also reviewing other old applications that were missed out under the manual system and reprocessing them now," he said.

Mohammad Pauzi also called on those with information on similar cases to come forward and cooperate with the department.

"For such cases, bring them to NRD with the supporting documents. We will investigate and help them obtain MyKad," he said.

- Bernama