Eight senior citizens born in Malaya before Independence are still waiting for citizenship and a blue Mykad.

The residents of Pandan Perdana have now taken their predicament to the DAP’s Teratai assemblyperson Jenice Lee.

According to Malay daily Sinar Harian, Lee said some of them were interviewed by the National Registration Department (NRD) as early as the 1990s, but to no effect.

“I feel sympathy for what they are going through. It is as if the government is denying them their right to citizenship even though they were all born here and have birth certificates,” she was quoted as saying.

NONEShe said she will raise the issue with the Home Ministry and seek an appointment with the minister to identify a solution.

Lee (right) also noted that immigrants and foreigners have been able to obtain citizenship easily..

Ng Khian, 72, one of the eight, said she is sad to only hold a red identity card after having lived in the country for 72 years.

Her latest attempt to apply for citizenship was in 2011, but the authorities did not respond.

“I cannot enjoy welfare assistance or other forms of aid from the government. I am also aggrieved because I cannot exercise a citizen’s responsibility to vote,” Ng said.

Eng Soo Leong, 70, explained that he was initially not clear on application procedures, as he was not educated and came from a low-income family.

He was also afraid to attend the NRD interview as he cannot speak Malay.

“Throughout my life, I could only watch my children going to vote. I have had no chance at all to (do so),” said the Rawang-born man.

“I hope I will have the opportunity to be a citizen before I close my eyes.”

Related stories

Sabah RCI: Witnesses at odds over testimony

Pakistani runner gets colleague blue IC in 20 days

NRD made Indian national a citizen using false SD

'Why is AG gung-ho on Sabah RCI, mum on other states?'

15pct of Filipino refugees are now M'sians, RCI told

Sabah Umno denies involvement in project IC

Take up Mat Zain's call, challenge the rolls