Protesters rally in Putrajaya against statelessness

Some 500 people gathered in Putrajaya today, to march to the National Registration Department (NRD) headquarters to drive home the issue of statelessness resulting from the absence of personal identification documents.

The protesters, who began arriving from 10am, started marching an hour later to the NRD from the area adjacent to the Palace of Justice.

The rally was organised by PKR.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has pledged torectify the problems leading to statelessness if Pakatan Rakyat forms the federal government.

Many protesters held up a mock red MyKad bearing the images of the prime minister and home minister respectively, to illustrate their claim that the government has failed them in their bid to obtain citizenship.

The protesters chanted slogans such as "Fight for rights" and "Fight for IC rights".

PKR vice-president N Surendran (left), Kapar MP S Manikavasagam and Subang MP R Sivarasa delivered speeches before the rally began.

At the NRD office, a few PKR leaders were seen entering the building but some protesters were unhappy that more had not been allowed in.

A minor argument broke out between the protesters and police personnel, who had a strong presence in the vicinity of the building.

The dissatisfied protesters shouted"Buka pintu!" (Open the door), as Pakatan leaders tried to calm them and the police closed the door to the building.

At 12.45pm, Surendran, Sivarasa and M Manogaran walked out of the building after nearly two hours of negotiation with NRD director-general Jariah Mohd Said.

Surendran announced that NRD has agreed to set up counters to process the applications of those who are stateless, but stressed that the NRD should give them 'late application' forms instead of citizenship forms.

"All of us here were born in Malaysia, we are Malaysian citizen, by right we should get the IC application form," he told the crowd.

Asked whether the turnout is an indication that the number of stateless people might not be 300,000 as claimed, Surendran said it is not "Pakatan’s job" to bring them all to the NRD.

"We stand by our 300,000 figure...(the government) should not throw the burden on the opposition to resolve it. It is absurd (to rely on) Pakatan to bring 300,000 today."

He criticised the NRD, saying it has "failed" to register stateless people and suggested the department takes a pro-active approach on this.

Three counters were set up today in front of the NRD building to assist those applying for a MyKad. 

Chua: MIC leaders pushed me

PKR vice-president Chua Jui Ming claimed that he was pushed on the shoulder by several MIC youth members and leaders.

"Why did MIC tried to stop us? They are traitors to the Indians," he said.

His claim was backed up by Surendran, who further alleged to reporters that he had recognised some of the assailants as MIC Youth leaders.

They were wearing shirts with the 1Malaysia logo, he added.

PHOTO GALLERY