I refer to the Court of Appeal's ruling in Lina Joy's case that the National Registration Department (NRD) does not have the power to decide whether the word Islam can be deleted from her identity card.

The NRD's job is to ensure that personal data on identity cards are correct. The fact in this case is that she had made a statutory declaration that she is a Christian.

In other instances, the NRD readily accepts requests for amendment to a person's religious status. For instance, I had requested for my religious status to be stated as Christian when I applied for a replacement card. This was duly done on the spot. This raises the question of the NRD practising double standards.

Previously there was no requirement to state one's religion on the identity card. By introducing this new policy matter, it brought a new problem upon itself. It cannot now declare that it has no power to act on its own policy.

When I went to the NRD branch recently in Kota Damansara to apply for MyKad , I was surprised to find out that the NRD had changed my religion from Christianity to Buddhism. I verbally asked for it to be amended and it was done on the spot and without any documentary proof.

However, I have no way of knowing whether the officer had made the correction in MyKad as I can't read the embedded chip.

The double-mindedness and double standards does not speak well of the NRD. It must act judiciously to assure the public of the integrity of the MyKad policy.