Ensuring school access for Yusri after obtaining birth certificate

"I am very grateful. I want him to go to school and enjoy life like other children," said Sabariah Ahmad, 69, the grandmother of orphaned Muhammad Yusri.

It was a meaningful day today for the eight-year-old when he received his birth certificate from the National Registration Department (NRD) after Malaysiakini reported his plight on April 21.

"After this, I want to work on his citizenship status for him.

"Thank you to all the parties who helped him (obtain a birth certificate) this whole time," she said at her residence in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

Sabariah, at the same time, also added that it is better to put aside the issue of Yusri's late parents' mistake in not registering his birth.

An elated Sabariah shows Yusri his birth certificate.

Even though Yusri has obtained a birth certificate, he is still a non-Malaysian citizen because his mother is an Indonesian citizen.

NRD director-general Zamri Misman visited Sabariah's home to personally hand over the birth certificate to the child who became an orphan after his father died on April 12.

His father, a Malaysian citizen, passed away due to a heart attack. Yusri's mother died about a year ago.

Yusri found himself burdened due to his parents' "negligence" in handling his citizenship documentation.

Commenting further, Sabariah said Yusri had no access to formal education, but she still hired a teacher for him so he would not fall behind in his studies.

"If he was sick, we couldn’t take him to the clinic, just buy the medicine at the pharmacy. He had a high fever before, and we tried various ways to get him back to health.

"He also asked when he could go to school like everyone else, his father used to tell him to ‘wait’ first," she added.

Meanwhile, Zamri emphasised the importance of not treating birth registration lightly, as it is the children who are ultimately affected in such situations.

Zamri - Do not treat birth registration lightly.

He also stated that children will face many problems if their parents do not register their marriage.

Zamri (above) said the NRD is ready to help process documents for those who register their births late as long as they are prepared to cooperate with relevant agencies.

"Although a birth certificate is not a citizen status (for Yusri) because his mother is an Indonesian citizen, at least he is documented.

"I ask that Yusri's guardians apply for adoption," he advised. - Mkini