KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) assisting individuals with citizenship applications to obtain comprehensive information to facilitate the approval process.
Obtaining additional details, particularly concerning the biological family or birth mother of stateless adopted children, could expedite the resolution of these issues.
"I appreciate the role of NGOs in helping to secure citizenship status. However, I urge all NGOs not only to approach birth mothers and adopted children but to provide comprehensive information.
"For example, are they still in contact with the birth mother? If they can establish contact with the birth mother, the case can be resolved quickly.
"The focus should be on resolving the matter completely rather than addressing only one aspect," he told the press after presenting a citizenship confirmation letter at the Sri Kelantan Flats in Sentul today.
Muhammad Danish Haiqal Abdul Rahman, 10, received a citizenship confirmation letter after the National Registration Department (NRD) approved his foster mother Azlina Hamzah's application in June.
Saifuddin said the NRD had informed Danish's adoptive mother about his citizenship approval, asking her to collect the letter, but that there had been no response.
He said Danish has eight siblings, all of whom were fostered separately with incomplete documentation.
"He was classified as a foster child, and his foster family applied for adoption. We contacted Haiqal's foster mother, Azlina Hamzah, to inquire whether she has ever been in touch with Haiqal's birth mother.
"She replied affirmatively, and my officers subsequently contacted his birth mother, who never possessed an identity card.
"So my officers proceeded with the late registration process, and now his mother has an identity card. With the mother now having an identity card, Haiqal's eight siblings will also attain citizenship status," Saifuddin said.
Earlier, a social media video by an NGO went viral regarding Danish and his foster mother Azlina.
— Bernama
