Stateless man’s children barred from school

Ulu Kinta district education office denies permission for odd-job worker R Ragu to transfer his three children because he does not posses a blue MyKad.

PETALING JAYA: Three school-going children have been barred from attending classes by the Ulu Kinta district education office, all because their father does not possess a blue MyKad.

R Ragu’s children R Nithiya Rubhini (14), R Nithiya Darshini (11) and R Surya (8) have missed school for a week now. They all have valid Malaysian birth ceritificates.

The eldest, Nithiya Rubhini, even has a blue MyKad.

Ragu, 38, an odd job worker, said that his ordeal started when he wanted to transfer his children from Tambun to schools in Bertam, Perak as they were shifting to a new place.

“The Ulu Kinta district education department’s officer, Abdul Rahim Abdul Samad, refused to allow my children to attend school,” he said.

Ragu claimed Rahim told him to get certification from the Welfare Department that he is the legal guardian of the children.

“But why do I need to get approval from Welfare Department when they are my children?” asked Ragu.

“When I tried to explain myself, Rahim rudely told me off. He said I should be one listening to him, not the other way around,” said Ragu.

Ragu said that when he attempted to make a police report at the Ipoh police headquarters, he was also told off ticked off by the officers.

It should not happen, says minister

An upset Ragu said that it was not fair for his children to be targeted just because he is deemed a stateless person.

“This has happened to me too many times. They just keep kicking me around without providing any solution,” he said.

Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong, when contacted, said that he would investigate the matter.

“This cannot be. I’m sure the problem is more complicated than that. We have already issued a circular that even children of non-citizens are allowed to attend public schools,” said Wee.

In 2008, Ragu made headlines when he camped outside the residence of Sultan of Perak, Azlan Shah to get the Ruler’s assistance in granting him a Malaysian citizenship.

Raised in a welfare home since young, Ragu claimed that the authorities had failed to provide him with a birth certificate, putting him in the current predicament.

The Ruler himself subsequently instructed the National Registration Department to resolve Ragu’s predicament but nothing has come forth to date.

In August last year, Ragu and his two eldest children took part in a 900km walk to Seri Perdana to raise public awareness of his plight.