MIRI: Over 100 disappointed people from three villages, including Penans in Baram and Miri, staged protest outside the premises of National Registration Department (NRD) at the Miri Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here yesterday morning over the delay in issuing of identification cards and birth certificates.
These three villages were Rumah Ramba Sungai Liam, Bukit Limau Sungai Tuyut Tinjar and Sungai Menok Bok in Tinjar.
Led by Penan Empowerment Network (PEM) chairwoman Elia Bit and Manikavasagam Sundaram, chairman of Persatuan Kebajikan Urimai Selangor, the crowds were spotted arriving at the premises around 8.45am yesterday.
Upon arrival at NRD, Manikavasagam and Elia were seen entering the department’s office and met with the officer-in-charge, whereby they handed over the villagers’ applications.
“We hope that the new government under the Pakatan Harapan leadership to do something about this issue,” said Manikavasangam when met at the NRD entrance.
According to him, the problems had persisted for three years.
“These people have been going back and forth (to Miri from the respective villages) to check on their status (identification cards and birth certificates),” he said.
“They have been facing a lot of challenges and struggles in order to get their identification cards and birth certificates,” he added.
Some of the people gathered there were having their citizenship status pending even though they have birth certificates.
Therefore, Manikavasagam hoped a mobile team (NRD) could be set up, whereby they could travel to the villages, helping those villagers in applying for identification cards and birth certificates.
Meanwhile, a longhouse chief, Tuai Rumah Ramba Bungkong, 70, of Sungai Liam here, when met yesterday, said a total 15 of his longhouse folks have no identification cards.
He said, due to the issue, they have been facing difficulties in finding jobs or even going to school.
“Most of them could not go to school as they have no identification cards,” he added.
“The problem has been going on for over a year,” he said.
The crowds dispersed one hour later.
