Waytha: NRD’s attitude reflects badly on govt

Indians continue to face many obstacles in obtaining identification documents from the NRD, says Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy.

KUALA LUMPUR: The callous attitude taken by National Registration Department (NRD) officers against Indians reflects badly on the government as it appears purely racist in manner, said Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy.

Waythamoorthy, who is also a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Indians continued to face many obstacles in obtaining identification documents from the NRD.

He was referring to the 12-year-old S Mahalachemi who attempted suicide after the NRD told her to undergo a DNA test to determine her parentage to obtain her MyKad.

The NRD had said Mahalachemi should obtain a DNA test because her skin colour differed from her mother,V Kamala, 60.

Waythamoorthy said it was an unreasonable request by the NRD because the child had her birth certificate confirming her Malaysian parentage.

Hindraf had earlier provided to the prime minister a holistic solution within the law whereby issues relating to the identification documents for more than 300,000 stateless Malaysian Indians could be solved permanently.

The solution proposed by Hindraf is in compliance with Article 14, 15, 16 & 19 of the Federal Constitution and initiates a pro-active manner to resolve the stateless issues facing Indians once and for all.

“The failure of a comprehensive solution will lead to such instances as the attempted suicide by this child due to the unreasonable manner how the NRD officers racially profile the Indian community.

“We urge the government to adopt the proposals so that such incidents can be prevented and reflect the willingness of the government in addressing the statelessness of the Malaysian Indians,” said Waythamoorthy.

MIC Youth to be involved

Meanwhile, special officer to Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir, C Sivaaraajh said he will meet Perak NRD director Mohd Zahari Hassan on issuing a MyKad to the girl.

“It is a straight forward case, where the mother has all the documents required to apply for MyKad. Thus, I do not think the NRD will reject her application,” he told FMT after visiting the girl in hospital.

“The problem started with the Ipoh NRD deputy director who had asked the mother and daughter to conduct DNA test,” he said, adding that MIC will lodge an official complaint against the officer.

Mahalachemi attempted suicide on Saturday after becoming upset with the NRD treatment and heartless teasing in social media.

She was taken to Raja Permaisuri Bainun hospital for treatment after she fainted at her aunt’s house in Taman Harmony, Jelapang.

It is learnt that Mahalachemi is in stable condition and doctors have advised her to take a two-week rest.

Mahalachemi, who turned 12 in September, applied for her MyKad in NRD at Ipoh Urban Transformation Centre on Tuesday.

Sivaaraajh , the newly-elected MIC Youth wing chief, also criticised opposition leaders for highlighting the matter in the media.

“They should be more careful on highlighting such issues, especially incdents involving underaged children. We must protect their identity,” said Sivaaraajh.