PUTRAJAYA, Aug 20 — The National Registration Department (JPN) has carried out 1,633 programmes under its public service initiative MEKAR as of July 31, with 24,863 applications received and processed.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said apart from handling applications for identity cards, the programmes also recorded 20,792 advisory services.
As for MEKAR DIDIK, aimed at helping schoolchildren who lack identification documents, the programme met its target of resolving 12,101 cases in June.
“Former Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji (Ubi), when transferred to the Education Ministry (MOE), detected this issue.
“I am pleased to inform you that the target to assist 12,101 students identified by the MOE has been successfully met,” he told reporters after attending the Home Ministry’s National Day and Malaysia Day celebration, as well as its monthly assembly here today.
On the MEKAR Diaspora programme, Saifuddin said JPN officers will be stationed in Melbourne, Australia, from September 14 to 28, and in London from October 5 to 17, to assist Malaysians abroad facing difficulties in obtaining JPN-issued identification documents.
Saifuddin said the move would save Malaysians living abroad the expense of coming home to settle documentation matters, as JPN officers will be sent to them, which is more cost-effective than requiring all affected citizens to travel back to Malaysia.
Meanwhile, he said two JPN regulations have been improved under the Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform programme, aimed at removing outdated, burdensome procedures.
“Among the initiatives are expediting late birth registrations for children under five born at government health facilities from three months to 30 days, and shortening the issuance period for extracts or copies of the Overseas Birth Registration Certificate (Form H) from 52 days to seven days,” Saifuddin said.
